1 month, 7 months, 7 years

I like to reflect; I make no qualms about it. In fact, despite being an emotional person, my ability to reflect makes me tend to be more logical. Or maybe I've just gotten better at stifling my emotions and keeping a straight face.

By the way, I apologize for any typos that might occur. This is my first blog post via iPad and my nails don't press the letters on this touch pad.

Anyway, I digress. Time for more reflection.

1 month- the time I've been living with my boyfriend. As I've mentioned before, haven't cohabited with a boyfriend in 8 years. So far, this time seems to be going well. We're still learning each other's quirks (like the fact that he leaves golf tees and golf balls everywhere and the fact that I tend to accumulate a nice shoe collection under the coffee table during the week). I'm enjoying doing our laundry and he takes out the trash. We're both taking a theatre break so that we can nest- it's like a honeymoon stage, without being married. But I find myself smiling more, calming down more, and wanting to be home more. I'm slowly dropping my extracurricular activities because I don't need them anymore. I am happy; I don't need to fill my time to the brim so that I don't realize how unhappy I truly am.

7 months- the time Billy and I have been dating (well, it'll be 7 months in a couple of weeks. Yep, I can look at this from a mature woman's view: he is my partner. We will grow old together. Neither of us has been this happy, and it's a refreshing combination of respect, humor, passion, companionship, and shared wishes. I have never thought about breaking up with him, am not waiting for someone else better, nor telling myself that things will get better. Things are pretty great.

7 years- the time that has passed since I was a Starbucks manager. Billy's sister is friends with an old shift supervisor of mine; one who was there during the lowest point of my life (when an evil district manager tried to fuel my anxiety and drive me crazy). He's at the Starbucks near my house, so I'll probably run into him. I'm sure we'll catch up, and I can talk about how much my life has improved in the last 7 years. I'm at a job I love and am well-liked and respected there; I've traveled across the country and the world; I don't get calls at 6am or 11pm about running out of espresso or someone not being able to come to work; I've handled a First Folio; directed 3 Shakespeare plays and acted in numerous others; I have the option of not working during the summer; I don't have to be nice to people who are incredibly rude to me; I don't have to wear khakis all the time; I've increased my technology collection, am almost done with my master's thesis, and I smile all the time now. I don't feel anxiety-riddled upon walking into work or seeing my boss.

Am I perfect? No. I still stress out, gained some weight in the past three years, had a miscarriage, and suffered through some rough relationships. But I'm in a good place, and things keep looking up.

Cheers!