By: Gabriela Yareliz
One time, my friend Esmeralda was telling us what she would write in a one-paragraph matrimonial ad for each of us. It was a bunch of us from the law school clinic eating and chatting together when this went down.
When it was time to write my ad, she said something along the lines of: I can be as pretend cynical as I want, independent and aloof, but inside, I am a die-hard romantic.
I realized how right she was yesterday, when my friend suggested we go to her favorite café on the Upper West Side. We approached the café, and suddenly I had a mini-heart attack.
“Is this the café from the movie…” I didn’t even finish.
“You’ve Got Mail?” she turned around and asked me.
Then she answered, “Yes.”
*I swooned*
Tom Hanks flashbacks came to mind and butterflies filled my stomach.
I was totally fan girling but trying to stay composed.
The manager man, who was seating people, took a liking to us and gave us the best table in the packed café. He was a charming fellow who ended up taking a photo with us at the end of the night.
It’s called Café Lalo. The trees outside have little lights, and everything glows. It was magical.
I was with two friends, and we each got a Elderflower Lemonade with our food. It came in the prettiest little bottle that resembles a vase. We each kept our bottle. I am going to fill mine with flowers in 2016.
I love how people are made of places, and places are made of people. I love how the simplest things can warm our hearts. And how memories can flow through our veins. And going to the theme of the movie, I love how unexpected friendships grow, and I love the beauty of the web life’s providence spins around us.
Because life is magical like that.
All right Esmeralda, I proved your point. I know you are reading and smiling. *wink* I admit it, “You’ve Got Mail” and life’s little surprises do make my heart skip a beat. I am the girl waiting to see what Mr. Darcy will do. I am that girl. I am unarmed and laughing.
[Images from Tumblr]
GABRIELA YARELIZ 