Love Affair: Waldorf Astoria = New York

The setting was El Paso, Texas the week before my 16th birthday. My mom was scheduled to be out of town for business on my birthday, September 26th. I am not sure if it was out of sheer guilt or benevolence, but she offered to let me tag along on her business trip to New York City with her for my birthday.

We stayed at the Waldorf Astoria New York. It was pure luxury to this Texas teen, and love at first sight. What my mom did not know was the last weekend in September is typically the meeting of the UN General Assembly, but we found out quickly upon arrival that then President Clinton and his family were staying at the hotel at the same time. Although I was too intimidated to let Mrs. Clinton know that we shared a name and it was my special birthday, I was aware that the Waldorf Astoria New York was a symbol of American greatness, and I was in great company.

From that weekend on, I worked to make sure I was able to spend more time in New York City at every chance. Upon my college graduation I moved to New York City and have yet to leave… I just turned 43 this September.

I look forward to the re-opening of the Waldorf Astoria New York, the birthplace of my love affair with New York City. I have included a picture of my brother and I on a subsequent family trip to the Waldorf Astoria New York.