A Series of Fortunate Events

I have always been one to look back in reflection of months and years past. This past year is no exception especially since it has shaped me into who I am at this very moment, typing on my laptop late at night. Like many people out there, I thought I had an idea of what I wanted out of life but like many others, I was still somewhat adrift, searching for some meaningful purpose in life and now that I have finally figured out a couple of paths I wish to continue on in life, I thought I'd share them.

A year ago today, August 19, 2017, I rode in the passenger seat of a U-Haul truck, my dad navigating the busy Burlington traffic as we made our way to my new home; a room I was renting in a large house with seven other people. I was excited, nervous, and a bit sad to leave so much and so many behind but optimistic at the idea of a new chapter in my life, a clean slate, and a chance to make some new memories with new people. Memories have been made, good and bad, some a little blurred, others vibrant and as though the events happened yesterday.

I moved up here with the intention to make friends, to build a community around me, and eventually move on, out of Vermont, with memories and connections to follow me throughout my life and career. I wasn't too keen on meeting someone new but I did intend to see what was out there. After a few failed attempts at relationships, I finally found someone worth my time and, as I have expressed in previous posts, I couldn't be happier to have found him. Needless to say, a year later, everything has changed.

I remember my first month in the new city, the new house, the new environment, and to be honest, I was more intimidated than anything. I felt like a fish out of water for quite some time. The housemates I lived with had potlucks almost every week, we sipped wine by candlelight, and discussed our lives, our jobs, and general interests or topics such as politics and social topics such as feminism and gay marriage. Each roommate had a distinctive personality but normally, many of us agreed upon specific issues such as literature and documentaries, (my taste was definitely different when it came to films and books). Living with seven different people from seven different walks of life made me realize how I wanted to live my life and inspired me to stop hanging out in my own head and remembering there is an entire world out there to see and I have a life to live.

I started dating shortly after moving, going on a date here or a date there, always meeting him in a public area for coffee or an after-work drink. I dated a creative man, another who worked in kitchens, and then found my current partner, a man I couldn't be more grateful for. We met in a bar in November, he met me at the door and right away we clicked. It was unexpected but welcomed nonetheless.

Now, a year later, I have a different job but in the same field, and a new place to live with my boyfriend; a place of our own where we have friends nearby, a couple, (the boyfriend is a mutual friend of mine and my boyfriend's, from college and a former job, respectively). We have our former roommates who have become friends and we have our families. It has been a series of fortunate events and I couldn't be more grateful. This past year has flown by and as mostly everything has changed, so have I. I have yet to experience everything I want to experience, (marriage, having a baby, finishing my degree, starting my career as a writer), but there are many more years ahead of me, and I can't wait to see what they have in store!