I went to Fort Monroe Beach to think and got caught in a downpour. But waiting out the rain gave me a sunset, a full rainbow, and lightning strikes—all in 45 minutes. Sometimes the best gifts come when you go against traffic.
Author: Laura Joy Palma
Finding Power in the Pen: When You Can’t Call Mom for Approval Anymore
When I lost my mother's daily approval after calling off my wedding, I had to learn to be proud of myself for the first time. Here's how losing her smile of pride forced me to find my own voice—and write authentically even when my hands felt tied.
Going Blonde and Breaking Free: When Life Changes Call for Bold Choices
I went blonde to mark my season of change after calling off my wedding and leaving my teaching job. Here's why sometimes breaking free means going 'all or nothing' instead of playing it safe.
After Ending My Engagement: When Truth Isn’t Black and White
After calling off my wedding, I'm learning that truth and trust aren't as simple as they seem. Sometimes being human means living in the gray areas where colors bleed together until you can't see the lines.
After the Fairy Tale Ends: Finding Truth When the Fog Clears
When I broke my engagement and called off my move to Germany, I had to face who I was without the fairy tale. Here's what I discovered when the fog cleared and I was finally standing alone—but standing.
When Prince Charming Moves to Germany Alone: Ending a Volume
While everyone was watching the royal wedding, I was trying to figure out how to explain why there wouldn't be another one in July. Sometimes love stories end differently than we planned.
Two Months Before My Wedding: When Fear Overshadows Joy
Two months before my wedding, I should be giggling over swatches and favors. Instead, I'm stuck in fear—afraid of saying goodbye to my life in Hampton and starting over in Germany. Here's my honest struggle with pre-wedding anxiety.
What My Three-Year-Old Niece Taught Me About Moving to Germany
Sometimes wisdom comes from the most unexpected teachers. As I prepared to leave everything familiar behind, my toddler niece reminded me what it really means to learn and grow.
When Students Become Teachers: Finding Poetry in Chaos
Teaching poetry to unruly sophomores taught me something unexpected: sometimes the most authentic writing emerges from the messiest places. Here's what my students taught me about courage.
Eighty-One Days Until Everything Changes Forever
In less than three months, I'll be married and living in Germany, leaving behind everything familiar except the man I love. Here's what it feels like to count down to a complete life transformation.
Writer's Growth 