It Always Happens When You're Not Looking

The conclusion of my first semester as a University student has finally arrived, and with it comes a much-needed moment of respite. The weight of essays and finals has been lifted from my shoulders, allowing me to take a deep breath and shift my focus towards my job search. Looking back, I realize that I might have underestimated the academic rigor of University-level coursework, especially as an undergraduate, first semester student who hasn't been in school for about 20 years! 

Only towards the end of the semester did I realize that I should have started with lower-level courses (level 200) instead. No wonder I struggled so much! I vividly recall the tears I shed when I received unsatisfactory grades on my first midterm essay and another midterm exam for a different course. However, I'm proud of myself for not letting those setbacks defeat me. I picked myself up and dusted off my ego, determined to do better.

I took advantage of my professor's office hours and poured my heart and soul into my studies. Despite the initial difficulties, I managed to finish the semester with flying colours, earning a "B'' average in all of my courses. Looking back on the semester, I am immensely proud of my growth as a student and my resilience in the face of adversity. I am excited to see what the future holds and am confident that I can handle any challenges that come my way.

Oh, the hours I spent pouring over my notes, immersed in a sea of information, meticulously crafting my thoughts and ideas. I used to chuckle at myself for being such a meticulous note-taker, but now I realize that it was one of the best decisions I ever made.

With my trusty notes by my side, I tackled my essays and finals with a renewed sense of confidence. I felt like a warrior, equipped with the tools and knowledge I needed to succeed. The hours of preparation paid off in spades as I seamlessly weaved my notes into my essays, providing a solid foundation for my arguments and ideas.

And oh, the relief I felt as I confidently answered each final question, knowing that I had prepared extensively and was ready to tackle anything that came my way. It was like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders, and I was free to bask in the satisfaction of a job well done.

Looking back on it all, I realize that my note-taking habit was a crucial factor in my success. It allowed me to stay organized, focused, and prepared, even during the most challenging moments. And for that, I will always be grateful.

My ability to go from zero to study mode astounds me! Here I am in my full PJ glory, working on an outline for an essay, stressed the hell out but so frigging happy!

Amidst the whirlwind of academic chaos and the incessant demands of school, the idea of romance was the last thing on my mind. Don't get me wrong, there were moments of loneliness, but I had my beloved dog, cherished friends, and family to keep me company. My focus was on my education and my child - there was no time for anything else.

But as fate would have it, love found me in the most unexpected of places. They say that true love comes when you least expect it, and in my case, it couldn't be truer. It was a chance encounter that changed everything.

As I went about my day, minding my own business, I stumbled upon someone who would change my life forever. It was as if a bolt of lightning had struck me - I was smitten. Our connection was instant and electrifying, a spark that ignited a fire within me.

In the midst of my academic turmoil, this newfound love was a beacon of light. It brought joy and happiness into my life and gave me a reason to smile amidst the chaos. Looking back, I realize that it was a blessing in disguise, a much-needed reprieve from the rigors of school.

Who would have thought that amidst all the hustle and bustle, love would find a way into my life? It just goes to show that sometimes, the best things happen when we least expect them.

It was a typical day on social media when a simple friend request from a stranger caught my attention. As a frequent user of Facebook, I was no stranger to the influx of friend requests that often cluttered my notifications. However, this one was different. This individual was a fellow Goth, and as a fellow Darkling, I felt a sense of comfort and ease in accepting his request.

Initially, I didn't give it much thought, as I was swamped with the end of semester madness. But it was when he commented on a post I had made about indulging in the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie and pizza, a beloved household staple, that our conversation began. Our shared love for movies from the 80s and 90s led us to delve deeper into our shared passion for horror films.

At first, our exchanges were sporadic, and understandably so, given my hectic schedule. However, as time went on, I found myself eagerly anticipating our daily conversations. What started as a simple discussion about our hobbies soon evolved into something more profound. We began to delve into deeper, more meaningful topics, discussing our goals, dreams, and personal traumas with ease.

What surprised me the most was how effortlessly we connected. Our conversations became a highlight of my day, and I found myself opening up to him in ways I never thought possible. He, too, reciprocated the sentiment, sharing his own experiences and personal struggles.

Who knew that a mere friend request could lead to something so profound? It just goes to show that sometimes, the simplest things in life can lead to the most meaningful connections. This is no foreign concept to me, since I have many friends with whom I have connected with over the years that I have developed a long-lasting deep friendship with despite never having actually met them offline! On the other hand, this connection felt different, felt more intense. It felt like I have known this person for years and I was simply reconnecting with an old friend. 

As our conversations deepened, I found myself developing a strong connection with this goth prince charming. But my past relationships had left me with some painful lessons and I wasn't going to repeat the same mistakes again. So, I decided to be upfront and clear about my expectations from this potential relationship. I told him in no uncertain terms that I wasn't interested in any casual hookups or ambiguous "let's see where this goes" arrangements. I wanted something serious and meaningful.

To my relief, he didn't balk at my straightforward approach. So, I decided to reveal another aspect of my life that could potentially make or break this budding connection. I shared with him that I was a single mother, raising an autistic transgender teen. But to my surprise, he didn't bat an eye. I explained that my child's well-being and happiness were my top priority, but I was open to the idea of them eventually meeting. He reassured me that he respected my role as a mother and was willing to support me in any way he could.

Still not satisfied that I had covered all bases, I took another leap of faith and opened up about my struggles with depression and anxiety. I made it clear that although I was capable of managing my mental health on my own, there might be times when I would need extra support. He reciprocated by sharing his own experiences, and to my amazement, we both decided to stick around and see where this connection would lead us. 

As fate would have it, the signs were all there. The Universe was conspiring in my favour, nudging me towards my destiny. I felt a strange, yet powerful shift in the energy around me - something big was on the horizon. But I was focused on my studies and didn't want any distractions. Despite the nagging feeling that something was about to change,I soldiered on, determined to put my education first.

Then, one day, I unexpectedly ran into the person who had broken my heart last summer. As I looked into his eyes, I felt nothing. No anger, no sadness, no resentment - just a sense of closure. It was as if the Universe was testing me, seeing if I had truly moved on. And I passed with flying colours.

But that wasn't the end of it. I consulted my Tarot cards and the same two cards kept appearing - the Empress and Emperor. These were powerful cards, signifying strength, balance, and a strong connection. I knew deep down that this was a sign that my soulmate, my Tuxedo Mask was out there, waiting for me.

And then, just like that, I received that fateful friend request on Facebook. I didn't realize it at the time, but this was the person I had been waiting for. The one who would bring love and light into my life. The one who would stand by me through thick and thin. The one who was meant to be with me all along.

Considering he lives an hour away, I decided to go there and meet him. We decided to spend a weekend together, to go on our first date, run errands together, watch movies and see if this connection was really, real before we made anything official. As I arrived at his place, my heart was racing with anticipation. The journey seemed to take forever but finally, I was there. We hugged, and it was like electricity surged through our bodies. Our eyes locked and I could feel a connection so strong that I knew in that instant that he was the one. We spent the whole weekend together, getting to know each other, exploring new places and sharing our deepest thoughts and feelings.

As the weekend drew to a close, we both knew that we couldn't bear to be apart. We shared our first kiss, and it was like nothing else mattered. The world around us faded away, and we were lost in each other's arms. It was as if our souls had been waiting for this moment for a lifetime.

As we sat down and talked, we both agreed that we had found something special, something rare and precious that we couldn't afford to lose. We both knew that we were destined to be together, and we were not going to let anything come between us.

And so, like the fabled Prince Endymion and Princess Serenity, we had found our soulmate. It was the greatest gift we could ever receive, and we were determined to make the most of it. We knew that we would face challenges and obstacles, but we were ready to face them together. Our love was strong, and it was going to be forever.

Our first date!