The “New York Magic” continues to captivate travelers worldwide, offering unforgettable experiences in the city that never sleeps.
On February 28, 2024, Erin Jackson, visiting from Arkansas, celebrated her birthday with dinner at her favorite New York City restaurant.
Joined by her husband and friends, her evening took an unexpected turn when their table was seated near two strangers, including Sue, a Brooklyn resident.
“We just started talking to them over the course of the dinner,” 32-year-old Erin, a marketing tech startup owner, tells PEOPLE.
The evening took an unexpected and heartwarming turn when Erin Jackson and her group had a lively conversation with the nearby strangers.
By the end of the dinner, the two groups were sharing food and laughter, creating an instant connection.
As the night wrapped up and they left the restaurant, Sue, a Brooklyn resident in her 70s, turned to Jackson and said, “New York magic is real, so I hope we run into each other sometime.”
Erin responded with a warm smile, suggesting they take the idea of New York magic a step further by planning a time to meet again, turning their chance encounter into something more meaningful.
The two women decided to meet again on December 27, 2024, exactly 10 months later, at the same Brooklyn restaurant at 7 p.m.
In an unexpected twist, they chose not to exchange contact information, putting their trust in the hope that they would both show up.
Against the odds, they did meet. Last month, their reunion in Brooklyn Heights played out like a movie scene, and the video of the heartwarming moment quickly went viral.
Erin was always sure she would meet Sue again. She and her family made the trip to New York City on December 27 for the reunion, keeping their promise to Sue.
The idea of not showing up never crossed their minds; they were always committed to being at that dinner.
“At that point, I had brought four friends up to New York with me, my husband, our two young kids. So it just kind of felt like, ‘I really hope that this works out for everyone,'” she said.
While she wasn’t concerned anyone would be upset, she truly wanted the experience to be unique for everyone involved.
Erin was still heading to the restaurant when one of her friends noticed a woman in the distance and wondered if it could be Sue. It was, in fact, her.
Both women were surprised when Sue turned around and locked eyes with Jackson.
They stood there, staring at each other in shock, before breaking into a four-minute scream of excitement and disbelief.
The two women immediately resumed their conversation inside the restaurant, catching up on everything.
Erin, reflecting on their connection, found it surprising to meet someone after almost a year and still feel so comfortable, especially after just a brief 30-minute chat the first time.
Despite the limited interaction before, this time, everything felt natural and familiar.
It was as if they had known each other for much longer. The conversation flowed effortlessly, with no need for small talk.
Both women felt like old friends, fully engaged in the moment.
Erin shared that Sue, a member of a theater group in Brooklyn, declined an interview with PEOPLE but enjoyed a wide-ranging conversation with her.
The two discussed topics are Sue’s experience as a widow and Jackson’s life raising children.
The discussion felt natural, with both women comfortable talking about anything.
Jackson also noted how moved Sue was by their reunion’s joy to others. Sue expressed her gratitude, excited that others could experience the magic of their bond.
Both women were pleased to share a bit of “New York Magic” with everyone.
The two women, now in touch and already planning another reunion dinner for June, are looking forward to spending more time together.
Erin’s family is preparing to move to Brooklyn, which makes their next meeting even more likely.
She is excited that her long-held dream of living in the city is finally coming true.
Despite their reunion’s viral attention, Erin stressed that her primary focus has always been to build a genuine friendship with Sue.
The connection they share, she explained, is based on a promise and natural chemistry.
While the attention has been fun, Erin emphasized that her goal was never fame but simply to be a true friend to Sue.
Watch how the New York Magic works between Erin and Sue through this heartwarming video of their reunion:
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