After a toxic relationship, falling in love again was not something I saw being in the cards for me. 

But then I met him. 

It was like a world of chaos slammed into a world of peace and it has forever changed me.

With him came a silence to my mind and band-aids to my heart—preferably those cute Welly ones with the dog prints. 

For years, I have felt as though it’d be just me and the fellas. My furry four-legged ones. 

But then I met him. 

At that moment, I knew everything had changed.

That morning, I remember waking up extra nervous—the kind that makes you want to scream, cry, and throw up all at once. I remember changing my outfit two or three times and adding a few extra curls to my hair before finally forcing myself to stop stressing and just get in the car.

We asked the awkward first date questions. How many siblings do you have? Where did you grow up? What brought you out here? What do you do for work? And of course the best one, do you have a dog?

Hours later, and we both realized we had to leave. 

My brain was immediately bombarded with follow-up questions, and my heart with all the feelings. So now what? Do we hug? Do I text him first, and if so, how long do I wait? Will I even see him again? Did he feel the same way I did? Is my heart confused, or was there a connection? Am I even ready for this? 

When I headed back home, I couldn’t help but feel as though something about this one was different. 

I left with a sense of ease, happiness and excitement. I was so unbelievably curious to know more. 

Fast-forward two years, and as I sit in my cozy new home with the four-legged fellas, I am feeling extra grateful for the human boy and for the Nicholas Sparks story I was determined to write for myself.

Throughout these last two years, I have been more challenged than I would’ve ever thought possible.

Trusting someone again feels nearly impossible. 

Listening to your gut and following your instincts is beyond difficult. 

Opening up your heart and allowing yourself to feel you’re worthy of love is downright terrifying. 

But through it all, I’ve been reminded of what teamwork is all about. Carrying the extra weight when your partner is feeling tired. Delivering home-cooked dinner when they’re stuck working late. Holding a hug a few extra seconds when you can feel they’re processing something they aren’t ready to talk about. Allowing them space on the hard days while reminding them you’re not going anywhere. Treating the four-legged babies as your own while providing extra snuggles and kisses, sometimes with a few extra yummy treats you find at the farmers market.

Falling in love is about continuously doing whatever it takes. Training for a marathon like you’re Terry Fox. Learning more about their love language. Remembering their kid’s birthday. Knowing their death row meal. Understanding their pet peeve. Never forgetting what superpower they want. 

Life is all about choices and allowing yourself to experience joy again.

What’s the saying? You live and you learn? You love and you learn?

“Gratitude is a powerful catalyst for happiness. It’s the spark that lights a fire of joy in your soul.” – Amy Collette