Today, I can see it. The next stage of my life is right there in front of me. I can feel it coiled around my finger. I'm not sure why it's now that I can finally comprehend the gravity of what lies ahead. Am I older and therefore wiser? Do I have a clearer mind than usual? Maybe it's both. Maybe it's neither. I think the reason for my sudden recognition of the change is simply because I believe in it's purpose. Because I'm excited for the next step and I want nothing more than to throw my whole being forward to fully embrace this next chapter.
Over the weekend, my loving partner found the perfect moment to ask about sharing a life together. These last three years together have been some of the best of my life. After my tumultuous time abroad, and constant health struggles, I started fresh when I found him. I learned to take better care of myself, I expanded my horizons and I found out what real, healthy relationships were supposed to feel like. Nothing could have prepared me for that transition, but I'm so glad to have lived through it.
Now, together, we're starting a new chapter of our story—rather than his or mine—the first of hopefully many to come. We have a year and a bit until the big celebration of our love, and this time of preparation is a chapter of its own. We're planning not only the creation of our union, but the future that we want to build. This time will test us, and overwhelmingly stress us. However, I couldn't be more excited to face the unknown because I know that as I jump off this cliff, turn this page, walk down this shadowy unmarked trail, someone else is there with me for the first time in my life. And they're holding my hand.
-Dana.
"Did you ever recognize the beginning of a new life stage while you were in it? What did that feel like? Or have you only ever noticed the changes after they'd long since passed? Let me know in the comment section!"
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