Philadelphia, Nov. 19. I’m relishing in the quiet cold. I’ve just gotten out of my economics class. The dusk is just temperate enough that I can sit in the glow of light seeping from Van Pelt–Dietrich Library onto the wooden bench looking at Locust Walk. Measured footsteps lull me into prayer–like contemplation. 

The rituals of my college years have been marked by a familiar march between the Quad, Van Pelt, Fisher Fine Arts Library, College Hall, the pool, Harnwell College House, the Stroffice. These days I seem to live at the Stroffice. But one year ago, in the fall of 2023, I said goodbye to Street as I set off to study abroad. Thousands of miles away and five hours ahead of the magazine, my relationship to the publication, I thought, had petered to a quiet end. When the opportunity arose for me to return as Editor–in–Chief, my mind whispered to itself: “What’s meant to be will always return to me.” 

The opportunity to be the Editor–in–Chief of 34th Street Magazine has been the joy of my college years. It’s difficult to overstate my love for everything this publication has brought into my life: purpose, friendship, belonging—and hope. 

I want to tattoo every moment of 2024 in my mind. Every hour past midnight, every Zesto pizza order, every second spent clutching my belly in laughter, and—of course—every em dash I sprinkled into my letters from the editor and articles. In my bittersweet contemplation, I am continuing a tradition in honor of my predecessor, Walden Green, and in the spirit of our Best of 2024 issue, I am dedicating my final letter from the editor to my favorite 34 moments at 34th Street Magazine. 

  1. Being inspired by my forever Street Goss Associate Kate Ratner to join Street.
  2. Exploring Philly alone for the first time for my first Street article, “Table for One.”
  3. My first Street editor Arielle Stanger (aka Strommy) editing my first article on Zoom over my tiny phone screen. 
  4. Visiting the Stroffice for the first time to pick up my Street Staffer of the Week $5 Saxbys gift card.
  5. Photographing the Faye Webster concert while recovering from a concussion.
  6. Every prod night run by Walden Green, but specifically the one when we sat on the floor listening to Being Funny In A Foreign Language for the first time at midnight.
  7. DP Banquet, January 2023—Irma and her martini glasses.
  8. Being Assignment Edz with Kate Ratner and having meetings with our little Staff writers (lovely Jules Lingenfelter especially). Kate, I’m forever listening to our Spotify Blend playlist. 
  9. Zooming in to my EIC interview from England.
  10. The first night of production as EIC, Walden (Straddy) and Arielle (Strommy) icing us. Catie and I getting sprinkled in candy hearts.  
  11. OLD STREXEC X NEW STREXEC SUSHI BOAT @ OCHATTO—the night my BYO photography career started and of Catie and Walden’s makeout. 
  12. Night of Strexcitement, spring 2024. A night that I, and my couch, will never forget.
  13. Love Issue launch at Smokey Joe’s Sink or Swim on Valentine's Day. Yes—the one where I got booed by the crowd. 
  14. Zine–making with Norah, the night I gained a new family. 
  15. Moscato–gate. 
  16. Inaugural Street Sessions show at Smokes’! 
  17. Walden’s EOTM at Abyssinia and every meeting of the minds prior. 
  18. Penn 10: Penn Pivots (Wei–An, my partner in Street crime)
  19. Street Party! Three generations of EICs reuniting and getting a record–breaking number of writer applications.
  20. The hourlong edz interview with Hannah because we just couldn’t stop talking.
  21. The entire fall 2024 Street edz board, you have been my dream team and give me so much hope for this publication. Fiona, Hannah, Jules, Nishanth, Sophia, Naima, Stella, Jean, Insia, Isaac, Kate, Catie, Wei–An, Norah. 
  22. Night of Strexcitement, fall 2024. (“You’re going to tell mommy on me!?”)
  23. To Strouse (Hannah, Jules, and Norah) for keeping our reputation of being the coolest, best, most social publication alive.  
  24. Conversations about God over lemon blueberry French toast.
  25. Street Twitter, but in particular, Street live tweeting the 2024 presidential debate (aka the real spin room is Strouse).
  26. “What’s wrong? Is it his jacket?? Is it his sandwich?? Seriously, what’s wrong?!!!” – Kate Ratner
  27. All–Staff meetings!!! And seeing everyone come to our prod nights for edits :)
  28. Shooting the 2024 Dining Guide cover with Jean and Wei–An. (Oh how good that bread tasted after four hours of styling and shooting photos.)
  29. Wei–An and I leaving the office at 4 a.m. trying to finish dining guide #Phily.
  30. Every time we handed out issues on Locust to begrudging passersby. 
  31. Living off Shee Yuan Chinese catering prod–night dinners and Nerds Gummy Clusters forever. 
  32. Every bubble mirror selfie we took in a post–midnight daze. 
  33. Our all–female 140th Board Strexec. Everything we’ve accomplished is because of all of you. 
  34. Nov. 19, 2024. Last prod ever. Your sweet messages and smiling faces.  

And for one final time:

SSSF,

Natalia

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