Five dates in five days led to meeting his daughter and finding myself on the other side of a parent-teacher conference. Here's how I fell in love with both of them and discovered I'd been waiting my whole life for this moment.
Personal Growth
The Night I Found My Voice: How Bad Dates Become Great Songs
When a date ended with inappropriate expectations, I discovered something unexpected—my own fierce boundaries and the songs they inspired. Sometimes our worst moments write our best music.
Finding Peace in Uncertain Times: When Home Feels Far Away
Homelessness taught me that peace isn't about where you sleep—it's about what you carry inside. Here's how I learned to find rest even when everything felt unstable.
Purging the Past to Prepare for the Future: Moving Forward Light
On my last night in South Carolina before moving back to Virginia, Mama Sue helped me pack and gave me wisdom: 'You're purging the past to prepare for the future.' Here's why I'm packing light.
Life Lessons on the Ukulele: Four & Seven Strings
After the fireworks subsided last week, I sought out a new sound to fill the silence. Not live entertainment or even a date with a booming baritone, but a four-stringed, rosewood escape to paradise. And it was only right that I introduce my tropical instrument to my happy place, Fort Monroe, and play through the sunset last night. Just me and my ukulele.
When Sparks Fly: Enough Without Fireworks
On Independence Day, I had a great first date but found myself wondering: am I holding out for chemistry that might never come again? Here's what I learned about being enough without the fireworks.
What My Yard Sale Taught Me About Letting Go of Everything
As I sorted through boxes and broken dreams, I discovered that decluttering your house is really about decluttering your heart. Some things are worth keeping; some aren't.
What I Learned Dating After Loss: Setting Boundaries Worth Keeping
After losing the love of my life, I returned to dating with new eyes. Here's what I discovered about self-worth, boundaries, and refusing to settle—lessons every woman deserves to know.
Growing Pains: How We Embrace Change and Growth
Growth and change are two of the most defining aspects of life. Whether it's a crab shedding its exoskeleton to make room for new growth or a human transitioning from one relationship to another, we all experience these shifts in our lives. Female crab shells litter Fort Monroe Beach’s shores. Alongside them are skeletons no one sees but me, phantom beach companions and even a charming proposal.
What My Trigger Thumb Surgery Taught Me About Emotional Pain
I waited a year to fix my thumb because I was afraid of surgery. Here's what I learned about the difference between numbing pain and actually healing—and why we need to visit the sad places.
