The Journey of the Brave Levain Cookie

It was a beautiful spring morning on the Upper West Side, and a young woman smoothed patiently over her hair with the InStyler her daddy had bought her. A little Fresh Prince and an overpriced mango smoothie from Whole Foods were all she needed to make her morning complete. As for her afternoon... that was TBD.

As she lounged about, recovering from a most successful -- but tiring -- Voto Latino Power Summit conference, she pondered what she should do that day that would bring meaning, that would make a difference. As she weighed her options, she paused. She considered. She reflected. And then... She knew exactly what she needed to do.

Her goal in mind, she made her way down Columbus Ave., past fruit stands and second-hand stores, past flower stands and the most darling cafes, as she walked with determination towards 74th Street. A quick turn and a couple of street crossings, and she found herself in front of one of the most glorious places on the Upper West Side -- nay, in New York City!

As she walked towards the door, ready to walk down the narrow steps that would take her to her destiny, a large family -- complete with strollers and various small humans -- crossed her path and descended the tiny staircase before she could. Alas, her date with destiny was delayed. But no matter! What was a few more minutes when she KNEW that soon -- oh, so soon! -- the deliciousness, the perfection that IS the Levain chocolate-chip cookie would be hers!

She bought two cookies -- one for herself, and one for her partner in crime whose 30th birthday was that day.

Though she could have eaten her cookie right away, she chose to wait, to savor that sweet, sweet cookie when she was back home in DC. It would be like an extension of her trip and a special treat as she transitioned back to the daily work grind.

After a glorious afternoon spent mostly in Central Park -- but also partially dedicated to eating other delicious NYC treats (Gray's Papaya piña colada, anyone?), she found herself on a DC-bound Amtrak train, still clutching the precious paper bag that carried her two Levain cookies.

The next day at work, Partner-in-Crime -- enjoyed his birthday cookie. As he ate, she kept her little paper sack safe on her desk, knowing that in a few hours, the 3 o'clock slump would hit, and THAT would be the time for the little (not really -- those things are MASSIVE! as big as my hand!) Levain cookie to work its magic!

She had made plans for outdoor yoga with a friend that evening. But Mother Nature had something else in mind. One blustering, sideways rainstorm later, and her evening would now involve a trip to Pinkberry (which is basically like yoga, right? right??).

She ate half of her cookie, and saved the other half for her friend. She wondered if he would recognize (probably not) what a true act of selflessness and love it was for her to share a chocolate-chip cookie (no, but seriously... sharing treats is a big deal for me) --- and a Levain cookie at that! Levain! Second only to Sister Beck cookies in deliciousness! --- with another human being.

But she loved the cookie so much, she wanted to share the joy of the Levain experience with him (it's sort of like sharing the gospel. Once you have it, you want to share it with others, so they can experience the blessings and joy, too!).



They enjoyed their FroYo that evening (does anyone else thing that term is lame? though not nearly as lame as HoCho. gag...), and she gave him the cookie. ("Hooray!" she thought, "Now he'll know true joy in his life, too!")

But alas, as their conversation carried on, and the FroYo quickly disappeared from their cups, the little paper bag was forgotten. As they made their way back out into the night and onto the cold metro, not a word was spoken regarding the little cookie left behind.

As she got off at her home metro station, she remembered.... The cookie! Had he taken it? Had he already eaten it? Had he loved it as much as she hoped he would?? She texted to make sure he had taken it.





The unthinkable had occurred! The world's greatest cookie had been left behind!! How could this have happened??

Knowing there was not a moment to lose, she ran out of the metro station and dialed the number for Pinkberry. The angelic voice on the end of the line told her exactly what she wanted to hear, "Yes, we see your bag here. Of course we can hold it for you 'til tomorrow. You'll come in the morning? Sounds good!" Bless you, kind Pinkberry employee!!

The next morning, she walked to Pinkberry as SOON as it opened, and behold, the heavens were parted, and upon the counter of the Pinkberry was foundeth an paper sack, wherein lay the blessed remains of exactly one-half Levain cookie. It was a Passover MIRACLE!

HOORAYYYYY!!!!

That night, she met up for dinner with a different friend (AND the cutest dog in Congress!). and together, they enjoyed Good Stuff Eatery (first time!) AND We the Pizza. I mean, does it even get any better than that?

Meet Lily, 2013's Cutest Dog in Congress!

Actually, yes. YES, it can!  HOW?? you ask?

By ending the night with half a Levain cookie, split in two. :)

At last, the brave little Levain cookie had reached its destination. :)