Growing up, I had 26 surgeries by the time I was 16, so the hospital in Chicago quickly became my second home. To this day, some people are still shocked when I tell them that, despite everything — all the surgeries, all the hours spent sitting in doctors’ waiting rooms, even all the traffic jams — Chicago is my absolute favorite city in the whole world. Maybe it’s because I feel like a piece of me and my past is still there, and it’s good to revisit the past every once and awhile. It’s also good to visit the city for non-medical reasons, which is exactly what we did last weekend when my cousin Mona flew in from New York City. Her flight came in early, so we spent some time walking around the city a bit. Our first stop…?
The famed John Hancock Center, where we enjoyed lunch overlooking the city from the building’s 95th-floor Signature Room (which had the best Mountain Dew I’d ever tasted).
Aren’t these views spectacular? We couldn’t help but feel like we were on top of the world as we looked out the window. It felt like we could practically reach out through the glass windows and touch the puffy, rolling clouds!
And this was even the view from the bathroom. Can you believe that?
After lunch, we took a walk around Water Tower Place, an amazing mall I used to love going to when I was little. The view from the top — some seven floors up! — is something else, isn’t it?
We spent the day telling lots of old stories about our days in my favorite city. Like the time I enjoy cheesecake for dessert while I was in the hospital. Or the times my sister would get so sad when she and my dad would go home at night and my mom would stay with me. Or the many times we’d drive to the city at least a few times a month for doctors’ appointments. There’s a lot of my family’s history living and breathing in Chicago, needless to say. It was nice to revisit it.
The Perfect Fantasy.
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Typography Love.
Rachael says
Thanks for sharing your pictures Melissa – brought back a lot of memories for me after we had our honeymoon in Chicago last December. While we never got up the Hancock building we did get up to the Skydeck and the views were fabulous!
Elsa de Diego says
Wow, I truly enjoyed this: the images and the story. U look great Melissa, u are glowing! 🙂 I can tell you guys had a great time! Good for u! XOXO
Lauren Kilberg says
I'm right there with you Melissa! Chicago, my home sweet home.
Wendy says
The photos are amazing and you have a beautiful family!:) It's making me want to grab my daughters and go adventuring. Thank you for sharing!
Sara Pilling says
That last comment was atrociously rude and uncalled for. Some people really are cruel.
Anonymous says
Anon- are your friends in middle school? They sound so mature.
Cafe Fashionista says
Swoon! Water Tower Place looks incredible! And that food looks positively scrummy. What a fun adventure, Melissa!
San Diego and New York are my favorite cities; but I definitely wouldn't mind spending a bit of time in Seattle, Chicago, or Portland!! 🙂
Anonymous says
Your cousin is very pretty!!!!! Since New York is the city that you have stated many times you would like to move to……..and since you have your cousin living there already, why not go for it???? Or does your disability require you to have live-in assistance…i.e., your mom and sister?? Anyway, big cities are vibrant, intoxicating and so full of possibility! And having a close cousin already established there would be so awesome for you!
Melissa Blake says
Thanks for the sweet comments. I'm glad there's more Windy City love out there! 🙂
Melissa Blake says
Lauren, do you still live in the city?
Melissa Blake says
Anon — i'd love to move to NYC right now, and you're right…with my cousin there, now would be a great time to go. But I need live-in assistance and would need to save more money!
Viola Baier says
great pictures, looks like you had fun!!
suburban prep says
Though I live not too far from Chicago it has been a bit of time since I have been into the city.