I love this day in Boston.
For years I’ve taken Marathon Monday off from work to be a part of the hustle and bustle and contagious energy that is the Boston Marathon. I am just obsessed with everything about the day: the runners, the volunteers, the spectators, the inspiration, the happiness. I’m sure my fellow Bostonians would agree that our marathon isn’t just ANY marathon. People from all over the world strive to run Boston. And hometown pride doesn’t really get better than Marathon Monday. The day is a celebration and a tradition like no other.
Last year, two cowardly brothers tried to destroy all of this with a terrorist attack at the finish line. Innocent lives were lost, and Boston was a sad and scary place for quite some time. Last Tuesday marked the one year anniversary of the bombings, and to say I walked around that day with a heavy heart is an understatement. The news certainly had no shortage of reminders of last year’s attacks, and the sad memories just came rushing back. My heart broke for my city last year, and I certainly struggled this week as I thought about the victims’ family and friends, those who were injured and have spent the past year recovering, runners who never got to finish their race, and all the people who witnessed such tragedy. Boston also recently lost two firefighters in another tragedy a couple of weeks ago. It’s just a lot of sadness at once.
But then I read this article on the resilience of optimism, and it helped. It helped remind me that love and kindness overcomes. That our city, and people from all over the world, pulled together to get through something so terrible. That we are strong, resilient, and hopeful. That people are GOOD. And all that outweighs all the bad that happened last year. It has to.
I still love this day in Boston. In fact, something tells me that after today, I am going to love it even more. Today is our chance to take back our beloved tradition, unite yet again as a community of strength, and move forward. We may still be healing, but today we will show that we really are Boston Strong.
Tim and I will be enjoying brunch with our friends Bret and Ashley as we cheer on all the runners in the Cleveland Circle area.
I’m excited for our awesome brunch menu to kick off the day.
I’m excited to sport my new Boston shirt from a local apparel company called Right on Hereford, Left on Boylston.
For those unfamiliar with the Boston Marathon route, Hereford and Boylston are the last two turns of the race. The company was established when a Massachusetts native named John Stoller started creating and selling t-shirts as a charitable fundraiser to qualify to run Boston in 2008. Since then, Stoller runs with different charity teams each year, and he donates a portion of the proceeds of each purchase toward his various fundraising goals. After the terrorist attacks last year, Stoller teamed up with Marathon Sports to create a Boston Strong t-shirt, and they raised over $140,000 to donate directly to The One Fund. <—an example of the good, no?
I’m excited to see the elite runners in the morning.
I’m excited to see some of the staff members from my company run by. I wrote about several of them in a spotlight article for the wellness program at work last week, and they are all just so inspiring.
I’m excited to cheer, scream, and probably cry a little bit too.
I’m excited that today my city will run again.
Giveaway
In honor of today, Right on Hereford, Left on Boylston has kindly offered to give away a Boston t-shirt to five different F&F readers. You can check out their variety of styles for both men and women here. To enter the giveaway, leave a comment on this post telling me why you love the city of Boston. You can earn one extra entry by sharing this giveaway on any of your social media channels and then telling me you did so in a second comment. You do not have to reside in Boston to participate. Giveaway will remain open until Friday 4/25 at 11:59 EST, and I will announce the winners next week. Good luck!
P.S. If you’re looking for some extra Boston love today, check out these beautiful posts from some fellow bloggers last week:
- One year later via Blonde Bostonian
- One year ago via I Train Therefore I Eat
- One year later via Live Run Love Yoga
- My heart is in Boston via Katy Widrick
- One year later via Fighting for Wellness
- Today: Love is stronger via On Tap For Today
Disclaimer: I was not paid to write this post, but I was provided a free apparel from Right on Hereford, Left on Boylston in exchange for hosting this giveaway and writing about them. As always, all opinions are my own. There are no affiliate links within this post.
I’ve never visited Boston, but I love it because it is so rich in history and everyone being there for each other. It’s a city that’s truly been through a lot, but yet they rise together above it all! Plus, the pictures look beautiful!
WOO! I love Boston. So much history of the beginnings of America, the people are so resilient. I am proud to live here. Walking around there are so many nooks and crannies to discover. I am always finding something new and exciting. PLUS, I really like the Museum of Science.
How can you note love Boston? There is never a shortage of things to do. I love going in and just roaming around. It’s big city without the intimidation. I have so many memories there from a kid going to the aquarium and children’s museum to more adult activities in the last few years. 🙂
You have to love such a STRONG city…sending everyone my love today <3!!!
Boston is a wonderful city! Rich in history and culture. So many beautiful things to see & do! Best to all the runners out there today <3
Shared via Twitter 🙂
I love Boston because it feels like home. I was born and raised in Massachusetts, and I have so many memories in the city of Boston–from field trips, to family get-aways, to fall in love. Boston will always have a huge piece of my heart <3
I’m a little late getting started but currently watching the live stream – so awesome to see!!!
I love Boston because it’s long history.
Hi there, I read your blog regularly. Your humoristic style is witty, keep it up!
I love Boston because of the people. Nothing can take the people of Boston down, they will always get back up and stay strong through everything that stands in their way.
Boston is the greatest city in the world and today it was proved once again! I’ve rarely missed a marathon, such an awesome day. Congratulations to all the amazing runners and all the loyal fans on the course!
I love Boston for everything it stands for – its people, its resiliency, its spirit, its love. I am very proud to call Boston home, more so this year than any other. Watertown is my hometown, Boston is my city. To say Boston Strong, Watertown Strong, means so much to me. People have come together to support each other in the face of tragedy and unspeakable grief. Just seeing and feeling that spirit and support today is what the Boston Marathon is all about.
This is the first time I’ve left a comment on your blog, but I’ve been reading religiously for over a year. My heart broke for the city of Boston and everyone whose lives were forever changed by those cowards last year at the marathon. I remember reading your blog post following the tragic events on what should have been a happy and exciting day. I’ve never been to Boston but it’s always been a city I’d love to visit. The history, the beauty (keep those pictures coming), and the resiliency of the people, the athletes, and the city itself after last years events. I’ll get there eventually but in the meantime will continue reading your blog.
I love Boston because it’s my home, because there’s no where else on Earth quite like it. I love it because it’s a city that’s full of so much history and amazing stories of brave, strong people. Great post, and I hope you enjoyed your day today — it was SUCH an amazing, positive, perfect Marathon Monday!
Love this shirt! I’ve never been to Boston, but I hope to go to spectate the marathon one day (or maybe even run it someday!) Just an amazing community 🙂
I love all of the history and food and things to do
i LOVE those shirts so much! I went to buy one last week and couldn’t find any 🙁 I love Boston because, one, it is my city, and two, it has the best people in the world! you could feel the pride people had for Boston yesterday. what a great day! hope you had fun
Thanks for sharing my post! Hope you had a great Marathon Monday!
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i shared on twitter 🙂 🙂
I love Boston because of the rich American history of the city and the New England feel that it has when you’re there. I have been to Boston a few times over the years and have always loved the city.
I pinned this giveaway to my pinterest
I love Boston for it’s history and the sights! Gotta love the duck tours 🙂 happy I live in connecticut so I’m not too far!
Boston is my home!! How could I not love it! We have the best peeps here and we come together as a city to celebrate, mourn, and show our strength and resolve!!
Tweeted!
I love Boston because I was born and raised here! I love the diversity, the live atmosphere, and the die hard sport fans! Boston Strong!
I tweeted too! 🙂 @shannin_maureen
Tweeted https://twitter.com/savingbride/status/459706892831703041
I LOVE Boston. I just visited for the first time last week AND watched the marathon. It is full of great places to eat and drink, easy to get around, and I love the diversity!
I love boston not only for how much we have overcome in the past year, but for having the greatest sports teams in history!! I am lucky enough to have seen the Sox win the World Series (multiple times), the Bruins win the Stanley Cup, the Celtics win a NBA Championship, and the Pats win a Superbowl (multiple times) all within my lifetime!
I tweeted this giveaway!
My Dad went to college there and has such fond memories of the city! I would love to visit Boston one day!
I became fascinated with Boston and how it relates to our history as an independent country. I admire the heart of our forefathers!
I won’t lie! love Boston for the food also! lol
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