I grew up in New Hampshire. When I was very little, my parents took me down a family gathering in Quincy. I remember from the back seat seeing the Boston skyline and falling immediately into head over heels love. Nothing where I lived looked like that. I became obsessed. My mom would take me down for trips the museums and the aquarium and I would count down the days till we would see that skyline again.
Many years ago, I moved here as a young adult. I have lived in and around the city for nearly 18 years now. I met my best friend in the balcony at the FleetCenter soon after moving down here. My closest friends are my cousins. One of the first things my best friend (that guy I met in the balcony at the FleetCenter) and I started as a tradition was Patriots Day. The idea of getting up early to head into Fenway Park and then watch the Marathon sounded like a crazy one. By 8:30 that morning and my second beer, I remember thinking - I could get used to this!
So as the years went by, we added to our little group. Both of us married, we had friends who came regularly. We had a crew. We met early at the Kenmore Dunks, got our coffees and got in line for the bar to open. We talked about the stuff you don't share on Facebook, we ate, we drank, we head to Fenway Park. For postgame, there are two routes - we go through Copley if the Bruins aren't playing at home game or we go around if the Bruins are home. Need to get the real estate at the Fours for pregame. Also, I always get a sunburn. That's the routine, I love it. It's always felt like Boston Appreciation Day to me.
Three years ago, that changed. The Bruins were home so we were our block over route. We were safe, but so many weren't. We rushed home, knowing the Bruins wouldn't be playing. I received texts from friends all over the country to check on me. I remember responding that they would see the best of my city in the coming hours - not the worst. Boston delivered. There were a million stories of kindness. All making me proud to live here.
I think it's fantastic to that we now mark this day with acts of kindness. I love the fact that they day is remembered with neighborhood clean ups, treats for first responders and other acts of community kindness.
Last year, I had found out that there was a remembrance run for Martin Richard. I went to the kitchen to work on my newest cookie and I packed up cookies and dropped them at the Eire Pub, so the runners would have some treats when they returned. I remember handing them over and feeling so nervous and that being kind was something I liked, but to people I didn't know was a new feeling. Even though I was nervous, I felt good. That's just what I wanted to do. I wanted to be a good neighbor and bring cookies to make someone's day.
Since we are at Boston Public Market today, we are not able to get out and clean up the neighborhood with the Martin Richard Foundation like we wanted, we are supporting Team MR8 in a different way. We are donating 15% of our sales today online and at Boston Public Market to the Martin Richard Foundation along with our donations with every package of Left On Boylston cookies sold this month.
Boston has given me everything.
I have had great jobs and experiences in this city. Friendships, family, a career, a change in attitude, and ultimately given me my dream. Owning Top Shelf Cookies and creating cookies for a living has been the greatest time of my life. I want Top Shelf Cookies to be a good neighbor everyday, but today especially. Choose kindness today especially. We want to hear what you are doing for One Boston Day.
With Love For Boston,
Heather
