It’s November. How did that happen? Where did 2018 go? Sometimes I feel like one blink and a massive chunk of my life is gone. *poof*

It’s been some time since I updated y’all on my life, and what better time than the present, right?

Since my Quarter-Life post, so much has changed, but that’s to be expected in nearly a year. I barely even remember the person I was back then.

Since December, the boy that I was casually mentioning and I have not only become more-than-serious, but we’ve packed up our old lives and moved into a gorgeous little flat together in metro Detroit. Didn’t see that one coming? Me neither.

He’s everything - absolutely everything. He’s the kindest, warmest person I’ve ever met. We, like every couple, have our disagreements, but he is changing my entire life for the better and I am incredibly grateful for the places he’s taking me, both mentally and geographically. Thanks to him, the dark cloud that has forever lingered over my day seems to be slowly, but surely, lifting and revealing brightness and happiness I never knew I could feel. I’m still a sadder-than-average person, but thanks to his hugs and support, I’m finding my passion for living again.

Also exciting is that I have a pretty neat new job. I spend my days being creative and looking at beautiful pictures of fancy cars. What’s not to love? I work in digital marketing, so I’m even sort of using my degrees, which is a bonus. And, I’m making nearly double what I was only just a year ago. If only you could hear the relief in my voice as I type this.

Overall, things are good, and I can’t remember the last time I was actually able to say that without lying. Even though I live quite a long ways from my mom and dad - who I miss every single day - Detroit and I just understand each other and being here gives me a sense of adulthood and freedom I think I’ve been looking for for quite a long time. Besides, it’s given me even more of a reason to cherish each day I get to see my family, and all the more reason to appreciate them like I don’t know that I’ve always done to the fullest extent. I’m even planning holiday celebrations this year - it’s the first time we’ve done that since I can remember. This year, I might even let myself get into the spirit a little, just for the hell of it.

The final thing of note that I wanted to mention was the very place I’m sharing this life update to begin with. My blog. My official, real, blog. I have always loved writing and taking pictures, and I’ve always wanted a place that was just mine to share them. Not too long ago Ethan convinced me to invest the time and money it would take to make this little dream of mine come true - just another reason to love that boy. Even if this space never becomes anything more than an outlet for me to Espresso Myself, I’m so proud of myself for getting this far with it. And I’m so, so grateful to everyone who has read my thoughts so far and continues to make me feel like someone is listening. Maybe one day I’ll get to write for the world to read, but until then, I’m glad to be writing for you. And if it never happens, at least I can’t say I didn’t give it the old college try.

As I finish writing this, I’m smiling and I’m reminded of how great it is to feel like I might have finally found my place - and my person, too. And while so many things seem to have changed for me since my last life update, when I look back, I realize that most things haven’t actually changed, but have simply leveled out and fallen into place. Maybe I’m finally getting past my quarter-life crisis and can start to enjoy the second quarter of my life - just in time for it to officially begin.