Originally from Texas, YouTuber Michelle Reed remains very faith- and family-oriented, and these aspects of her personality and character permeate every decision she makes in her life. Now, having lived in New York for the past four years, she is independent, humble, and unafraid to go after what she wants – just like a true New Yorker! Michelle sat down with me to discuss her thoughts on relationships, faith, college, and life in New York City.
Going to college in New York, what has your experience with dating for marriage been like?
“It’s honestly been really good. I had actually just gotten out of a relationship when I moved here for college, and I told myself I wasn’t going to date anyone for a whole year! It was literally my first event at college when I met Aidan, and he texted me the next day asking me out on a date. I’ve been with him the entire time I’ve lived in New York, so I very much feel like my relationship with him is a part of my life here. I truthfully cannot even imagine living here and growing up here without being in my relationship with him, because he just feels like family to me. Being far from my family, it’s so nice feeling like I have a sense of home here.”
How do you have a relationship that’s centered around Christ?
“When we first started dating, the biggest decision I made with Aidan was making sure we were going to the same church and feeling aligned with what we were being taught. I grew up in a Baptist church, and moving here and going to a Presbyterian church is the first time I was actually asking more questions about my faith and making my faith into my own. Aidan was also doing the same with his faith at the time, so I felt like we were on the same track. He’s someone who I felt like I could always have those conversations with, and I never felt like I was on the same spiritual level as people I’ve dated in the past. He was the first person who I thought was actually sharpening my faith, and I definitely think our church has been a big part of us being able to grow together. I really trust him, and I trust that he’s always making decisions based on what he knows God has planned for him versus plans that he would pursue aside from that. A lot of our friends are on the same track too, so I think having really solid friendships and being very selective about them between the two of us has also been really important. My roommate, Rose, is really good friends with him. I don’t think I have any friends who are really judgmental about my relationship. I have friends who don’t necessarily share our faith, but I definitely think they’ve all been very supportive.”
Have you faced any criticism regarding wanting to get married young?
“I’ve gotten some criticism from YouTube but definitely not from my friends or family. My family loves him! I haven’t had anyone I personally know criticize my decision to get married young. I mean, in New York, whenever you meet people for the first time and that conversation comes up, they kind of think you’re a little crazy…but I never feel like I’m being judged. It just seems like they don’t necessarily agree with me.”
Why did you want to go to school in New York?
“My dream was to go to school in New York. I think I was in fifth grade when my brother went to college, and I just thought it was so cool that he went to school in New York; he went to the same college I went to. I just never lost sight of that dream, and it was always something I wanted to do.”
What was it like attending college here?
“I feel like going to college in itself is such a big hurdle, and going to college in New York is even a step further. In other cases when you go to college and are living away from your family, you still have a car, can go home, and can even still be a kid to some degree; being in New York, on the other hand, you really have to grow up fast. I had to learn how to set up a budget, walk and carry my groceries home, pay for my subway pass, and commute to college. These are tasks that I’d say the average college student doesn’t necessarily have to deal with, but people in New York do. You have to grow up a lot faster, which is a really good thing – because then you can make it anywhere!”
What was your relationship with God like throughout college?
“I really grew into my faith in college. I’ve always been a Christian, but I feel like college was the first time I fully relied upon God because I was here alone and away from my family. It was the first time I was pushing into my prayers, seeking out God’s wisdom, and learning how to trust God day by day, versus just saying ‘I trust God’ and still making my own decisions. I really learned to trust God throughout college.”
What are your thoughts on the importance of diversity of thought on a college campus?
“It’s definitely really important that every single party has some kind of voice. I don’t think it should be forced or orchestrated though, because that can end up doing more harm than good. As someone who’s quiet, I tend to hold back from sharing my voice. Even though it usually seems like there’s one majority voice on a college campus, there are probably a lot more – they’re just quiet.”
What are some of your favorite places in New York City?
Manhattan: “Central Park is my favorite place, and Aidan and I go there a lot. Walking around the city is one of my favorite things to do.”
Food Suggestions: “I’m from Texas, so I love Mexican food. There’s a Tex-Mex place I like called El Mitote. It’s been hard to find good Mexican food, but this place has really good guacamole. [Besides Mexican cuisine,] Cafe Luxembourg has super yummy food. Eats on the Upper East Side also has really good salmon burgers, and it’s a very cozy place. For coffee, I really like the Maman coffee shops; those are really cute.”
Brooklyn: “Brooklyn Heights will forever be favorite neighborhood; it’s just the cutest, and it’s nice seeing families there.”
Food Suggestions: “Heights Cafe in Brooklyn Heights is really good!”
What are some of your favorite aspects of living here?
“Being from Texas, I feel like people there are really focused on how they look and how they appear to other people. Something I really appreciate about the city is that I genuinely feel like no one cares about what you look like. No one’s looking at you, and no one cares. It’s nice being somewhere where you don’t feel like you’re being judged. I always feel like people are looking down on you to some degree in Texas, but I never feel like that here. Even though the stereotype is that people here are mean, I feel like I’ve only ever met really nice people here. It’s also the most beautiful place! It’s so nice that there are so many different things you can do and see, and there are so many free things to do in a city that’s so expensive. I feel like I can do everything I want to for free by just walking and looking at things.”
What are the advantages and disadvantages of living in New York?
“I feel like this is a given, but one disadvantage is definitely how expensive it is. It kind of stinks that you have to make a little bit more to sustain a lifestyle here. On the flip side, I think one advantage is that it really taught me how to budget and be more conscious of my money, whereas in Texas I would shop a lot more and buy random stuff. I’m also tracking my money for the first time. Although I like how fast-paced everything is here, because of my personality type, it’s been a struggle for me to learn how to rest in a city that’s so fast and makes you feel like you should always be doing something. I’ve learned that it’s not a bad thing to take a Sabbath on a Sunday. The city is so busy, but it’s also taught me how to learn to rest.”
What are the advantages and disadvantages of going to school in New York?
“Being far away from my family has been hard. My niece and nephew were both born while I was here in college, so it’s been hard not being there to watch them grow up. Another disadvantage is that New York is an easy place to get distracted if you get into the wrong crowd or activities, and it’s very easy to do so since there’s so much going on. On the other hand, this teaches you to learn self-control and independence. Everything is happening here, and another advantage is that it’s so much easier to find a job here. Even though it’s a more competitive environment, there are so many job openings here, and there are so many people you can meet to network with. New York is just a great place to start your career, and being able to start here in college is helpful for that.”
Thanks, Michelle, for taking the time to chat about these really important topics! Make sure to check out her YouTube channel here and her Instagram @michellereed.
It is interesting to learn about people’s lifestyles from different cities. It is always nice to see people getting married regardless of age. People will always judge no matter what. Thank you for sharing all of these insights!
Nancy ♥ exquisitely.me
So glad you enjoyed!
Great article!! I love reading about other’s journey in their faith!
Thank you, and so do I!
A faith is often what we cling to when we are away from all that we know. Connecting with new people and making friends is what starts to transform a place from strangeness into familiarity. I love how this conversation covers those topics!
Thanks so much! I hoped it would be insightful 🙂
Great post! This is a really interesting angle and perspective. I love your questions and her thoughtful answers. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you!
Great post, thanks so much for sharing something so personal with us!
Thank you!
Great read
Thank you!
Michelle sounds like such a lovely person!
She was super friendly 🙂
Great post! I loved reading this post!
I’m so glad you enjoying reading this!
Very inspiring and motivating. It helps to be around with supportive circle of friends when you are away from home. And to have a God centered relationship is a huge bonus!
I definitely agree! A God-centered relationship is so wholesome, fulfilling, and enlightening.