A Love Letter to the Town That Changed Me ❤️

July 19, 2026

I went for the most peaceful, reflective walk this morning with Brooke and wanted to write out some of my thoughts in case anyone reading this is somewhere in their journey looking for someone to relate to.

My town represents a soul journey to me, and a proud one at that. 

I became a resident as a married woman, dog mom to one pup, really not knowing who I was, but knowing I wasn’t happy. I began therapy to process what happiness meant and looked like to me, I rescued Brooke, I began a new career… This town saw me through a health transformation, working on my nutrition, moving my body through walks on the green - of course butterfly egg hunting along the way. It saw me through becoming a single homeowner, investing in my property to create a sanctuary for Brooke and I. Through heartache and grief, this town has been a constant in my life when I needed it most. It’s seen me at my lowest of lows, days I wasn’t quite sure where to start or if it would ever get better. The green has always been a safe space for me - to walk alone with Brooke & listen to music, podcasts, and audiobooks or to walk with friends to talk about life changes or life dreams. It’s a space that, no matter my mood, has encouraged me to move my body. Sometimes only one lap, sometimes two, but always a space to feel what I needed to feel.

This town slowly helped me shape my life into everything I always dreamed of. I couldn’t see it then - but for some reason, on today’s walk, it all hit me.

Two years ago I walked this green wondering how I got here, how my life was seeming to “fall apart,” not knowing just quite then that it was really falling into place (cliche, I know…but it’s a cliche for a reason). I was in the process of a divorce, finding out what I always had a gut feeling about came true, and had never felt so lost. I slowly started to find pride in myself and began enjoying being alone. I was SO looking forward to my 30th birthday to say goodbye to my 20s and what they represented, and start my 30s on the right foot - the healthiest (at that point) I’d been mentally and physically in a long time. As the big Labor Day birthday weekend was approaching my life took another turn - my mom passed completely unexpectedly 3 days before my 30th birthday, sending us all in a shock. I remember walking the green in the coming weeks listening to grief podcasts and music to comfort me. Wondering again, how did I get here, how was this my life? 

I began using the green as a space to clear my mind some days - and other days it became a space where my mind was most creative and reflective. I dreamed up this website through my walks at the green. More and more the walks became spaces where I thought - “hmm. This might resonate with someone”... just like this blog. It was after this walk that I thought maybe an unfiltered, raw, honest blog about the good days, bad days, and melancholy days…just might be what this site was missing. 

Today, I walked the green with Brooke, feeling pure, authentic, genuine joy. I love this life that I’ve created for us. I’m in the healthiest, loving relationship I’ve ever experienced, I have a home I’m incredibly proud of, friends and family who are beyond supportive, and am doing my best everyday to make a difference. Two years ago, on this very same walking route, I wondered if a day like today could ever truly happen. 

No matter where you are in your journey - take it one day at a time, one hour at a time, one minute at a time. Stop and enjoy the beauty around you. Today was the first day I noticed the most beautiful butterfly garden - on a route I’ve walked dozens of times.  Sometimes the most beautiful things in life are right in front of you. You just have to stop and be present.

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