My heart was still healing at the beginning of 2011; I spent a lot of time alone. I read A LOT, I slept restless and I prayed. The transition of 2010-2011 I had begun to put my toe back in the dating pool which resulted in exactly three dates to determine I had absolutely no business even putting a toe in the pool without a floatie. I had a guy cook me dinner only to basically shove me out the front door shortly after when I realized the whole situation was to overwhelming, he probably refers to me as “emotional wreck girl” to this day. I then had a guy ridicule me in the middle of a restaurant for ‘incorrectly’ misusing the terms block and street. People turned at us when he raised his voice I kid you not, I refer to him as “yeller” to this day. Last but not least I went to dinner with a perfect gentleman who did absolutely nothing wrong, I never called him back. I realized my heart had not settled and hanging out in the sun was a much safer bet then all that keep on swimming business. Case closed, or so I thought.
I never saw him coming; I had met him before many times and…nothing. This time was different, it was as if I was meeting him for the very first time, and we finally saw each other. A good three months went by before we actually got to spend quality time with each other however….in the midst of these months I took the trip of a life time.
BOSTON! I am thoroughly convinced a part of my soul belongs in that city, I have no idea why but it does. The sibling circle trip to see history with the Cubs/Sox playing for the first time since the 1918 World Series was something I will ever forget. OKC Thunder games playing in the bars, China Town, walking the warning track of Fenway Park, and signing my name inside the Green Monster is that one trip you tell your kids about and they roll their eyes because they heard it last Christmas. I hadn’t felt that happy in a long time. Something about sitting in a ballpark filled with ghosts, curses, and dreams makes you feel a part of something so much bigger yet so connected to everyone around you. It’s irreplaceable.
Wedding season also was happening and Florida and Georgia was full of flowers, cakes, bridesmaids, and happily ever after’s.
After the whirlwind of summer vacations and family trips calmed I found myself falling head over heels for someone that makes me smile more and more every day. I had a hard time with it at first, waiting for the other shoe to drop, waiting to figure out what the punch line was, etc. I kept thinking to myself why on earth would I be blessed to find someone that fits me so much so quickly after the mess I was in. I couldn’t grasp the simple concept of “you are loved Lacey”. I pushed, man did I push. I still have my bouts of doubt where I burst into tears and become completely overwhelmed with the fact that I finally found exactly what I was looking for.
I could say he brought me back to life, he taught me how to love again and all that mumbo jumbo but I’d be lying. I’m the one that brought myself back to life, and I never lacked the ability to love. He did however soften my heart and embraced my craziness when I thought no one else could and he made me feel safe again and because of that he will forever have a piece of my heart. The love I feel now from him, my family, and my friends is so overwhelming if I sit to think about too much I literally get crocodile tears in my eyes and find myself looking up and saying thank you.
So my ode to 2011: you were the transition year of who I was, to who I want to be. You were beautiful through restless nights, breathtaking trips, happy tears, and sheer calmness and peace I thought I’d never be able to achieve. You bestowed upon me reassurance in the family that never lets me down, the benefit of having true girlfriends, the strength to overcome spiteful people, and embracing the love of my life. 2011 was the beginning of the rest of my life, a life that I often don’t feel deserving of but am so very thankful for.
“Beginnings are scary, endings are usually sad, but it's the middle that counts the most. Try to remember that when you find yourself at a new beginning. Just give hope a chance to float up. And it will...” – Hope Floats
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