It’s easy to fall in love in Hoboken. Pastel-colored brownstones cast a spell over strolling lovers, their gazes glancing over the antique, wrought-iron fences weathering the years like a strong marriage. Waterfront parks and promenades enchant with breathtaking views of Manhattan. The Stevens campus at dusk is a dreamy, romance lover’s Eden.
Cozy cafes abound, along with world-class restaurants, old-fashioned delis and bakeries, and cool watering holes. Hoboken’s ethnic diversity, its fascinating mix of yuppies, local characters, and artists adds a vibrant backdrop to the stage of romance, while the electricity of the weekend crowd assures lovers that this is the scene.
I speak from experience. On June 17, 2000 I met a lovely nurse at a bar who became the greatest love of my life. Right from the beginning, there was Hoboken nudging our romance forward. I remember how alive we felt during our walks down Washington Street, giggling at the sexy lingerie on display in a store, or drooling over Italian pastries as we passed a bakery.
Because of my active community involvement in Hoboken, magical encounters often took place while strolling the avenue with my girlfriend. We ran into several friends who encouraged me to commit to my girlfriend. During our relationship we went to coffee shops and the movies. We often took the train into the city to visit art houses.
Eventually my fear of commitment and her wish to get married led to our breakup. Now I suffer as I look back on what we had, and realize there’s no getting her back. She’s married and moved to California.
My friends who remember our relationship tell me: "You shoulda married that girl."
The next time my friends give me a thumbs up on a girl I’m dating, I’ve learned my lesson. I’m looking for a ring. – John Bredin (The author is an English teacher living in Hoboken.)