Wow, It’s the Wednesday after Memorial Day, One year later. Can it really be that long ago that my whole life was turned upside down with a single phone call? I don’t even recognize the person I was back then anymore. I went through the hardest time of my entire life, but somehow managed to make it through and come out smiling; stronger and wiser in so many ways. As ridiculous as it sounds, I’m actually grateful all of this happened. It scares me looking at where my life was headed if all of this didn’t come out. After 5 years I was finally able to open my eyes to the never ending web of lies and betrayal and see things from outside of the rose colored glasses. It’s kind of ironic that over the course of everything I truly learned what “love” is. Not what I once thought was love, but the love that you feel from friends and family when times are at their worst - that’s real and it’s amazing. I realize now it’s those friends and family who matter the most, and somehow I lucked out and managed to get the absolute best ones out there. I know I would not be where I am today if it wasn’t for all of you, and if you’re reading this - you know who you are - there are no words to express how thankful I am to have you in my life. On the flip side, I learned there were several toxic people and relationships that have no place in my life, and this year I found the strength to let them go. I will no longer live my life according to what other’s think or what is socially expected of me. I will not rely on others for my own happiness. I will only surround myself with genuine, trustworthy, fun, good people who can enhance my life, not bring me down. Every once in a while I get mad at myself for bringing such a wretched, despicable person into my life, and the lives of those I love dearly, but the lessons I’ve learned and the strength I have walked away with is something I could never have gotten otherwise, and I am a better person for it. I have had a lot of time to think through all of this and I have analyzed and re-played this relationship over and over in my head and I know now how truly unhappy I was through most of it. I know that it was my fear of being alone and “starting over” that made me stay, which is never, ever a good enough reason. The best part about all of this is now, one year later, I can look at my life - so far from where I thought it would be at 27 years old, but somehow better - and know in my head and my heart that for the first time in a really long time, I am truly, genuinely happy and that’s what really matters. And for that, I am thankful. 

It’s been one whole year. Who knows where I will be at this time next year? I’m excited for the possibilities and the opportunities. There’s only so low a person can go, but once you’re on the way back up, there is no ceiling to the sky. 

Much like right now.