In 1998, my father, Huang Dong, embarked on a hazardous journey from his home in Fujian, China to America on a small ship. He was led by a dream to provide a steady source of income for his family, even if took him across the Atlantic to a foreign land which he had only heard of during his childhood. He was only 19 years old. 

He later got married to my mother, and together, they opened a sushi restaurant in downtown Brooklyn.It was during this time that he became extremely close friend with a senior detective in the New York Police Department who was a regular customer. Despite some language difficulties, the pair became closer as weeks turned into months, and then into years. The detective was able to help, in a small way, my father adjust to life in America by telling him what to expect in the city, as well as allowing him a chance to practice his English. The detective also gave my dad the two dollar bill as a gift before my dad sold the restaurant. 

My father treasured the two dollar bill, along with a few photos, as mementos of one of his first friendships in the U.S. It symbolizes a new hope that no matter wherever he came from, he will be able to find opportunity and help from the people around him in America. Most importantly, it symbolizes that anything is possible here even if it seems unlikely at first-- even the forming of decades long friendship between a 20 year old Chinese immigrant boy and a senior NYPD detective.

– Kent

Relationship:  Child of im/migrant Child of im/migrant