Choose Wisely, My Friends.

You're always just one decision away from a completely different life. In a similar way, I believe, you're always just one conversation away from meeting a person who will completely change your life, too.

I, like many, have experienced this first-hand, time and time again. If I hadn't mentioned to my now best friend, five years ago, that I noticed her adorable, sequined, cheetah backpack in my history class and loved it, and initiated that first conversation, we wouldn't have five years of traveling, late-night snacking, and gossiping between us today. I am forever grateful for the conversations I've had that have lead me to the relationships I have now. Nothing means more to me than the people I'm closest to.

I've taken the first step in relationship building like that more times than one, but one instance comes to mind over and over again. It was just under a year ago - shy only by a few weeks - that I spoke to the most special person I know, for the first time. One flirty conversation lead to another, which lead to a friendship that eventually turned into the romance and relationship of a lifetime. I have one conversation to thank for my Ethan. One conversation, one date, one year of happiness, all together make for one amazing relationship, which I am truly #blessed to be apart of.

I've been in relationships before. I've even blogged about being in relationships before. Many know that my last relationship ended as unbelievably as it began. I won't deny that he and I had some good times together and I'm thankful for the lessons I learned along the way. But I can honestly say that it's just different with this one. I knew from the moment that I met him that Ethan was one-of-a-kind, and since that day, I've struggled for even a few moments to think of anything else.

Knowing him has changed my life in a dozen different ways - all of them a benefit. I see myself grow and my old wounds heal with every day we spend together. Thanks to him and his influence on my life, I have a killer new job and a perfect apartment in a gorgeous neighborhood - and I was hugely encouraged to apply and move here because of him. He reminds me to have fun and not take life too seriously. He helps me feel secure, safe, warm, and healthy, and so many other wonderful things that I've rarely felt before now. With him, I not only appreciate my present more, but I actually look forward to my future and all the craziness and happiness it will bring.

We have our issues, like all relationships do. We aren't perfect, even though we often tell one another that we consider the other one to be. (Cringe, I know.) But lately, despite all the changes around me and stresses in life, I'm feeling stronger and happier than ever - and I have him to thank in large-part for that.

While not every first conversation is going to lead to magic like Ethan and I have, I guess the moral of the story is this - isn't what you could gain far greater than what you could lose when it comes to putting yourself out there and starting up a conversation? Who knows what that person waiting in line next to you in #Starbucks will become to you in a year's time, but wouldn't you like to find out? I would. 

One choice, one conversation, can change your life for the amazing - and that choice is yours. 

So, choose wisely, my friends.