Triumphant Return

Edited on March 30th, 2025:

Welcome lovelies and beau’s! Have you ever had a moment so perfectly timed that it felt like the universe was speaking directly to you?

That’s exactly how I felt the other day when I went for a walk in the rain. What started as a simple outing turned into a moment of unexpected beauty, reminding me that life has a way of placing us exactly where we need to be.

Over the past year, I’ve experienced so many new things that have helped shape the person I am today. There were moments that built walls around my heart, but even more, there were beautiful experiences that softened it—moments that were truly music to my ears.

Just the other day, I decided to take a walk in the rain, craving the fresh air and a little escape. I followed my favorite route, wandering through quiet neighborhood streets, up to a serene pond, past the driving range, underneath a bridge, around a winding curve, past Gumby, along the lake, and back again. As I stood there, admiring the distant view of the city and watching waves crash against the rocks, I heard a familiar tune. A guy ran past, his headphones blaring my all-time favorite song, “Experience” by Ludovico Einaudi. In that perfect, coincidental moment, I felt as if the universe was reminding me that I was exactly where I was meant to be. It was awe-inspiring—like a gentle nudge from God.

I first discovered “Experience” a year or two ago when I watched a YouTube video of violinist Karolina Protsenko performing it. Since then, I haven’t been able to stop listening. No matter what mood I’m in, turning on this song instantly fills me with happiness, inspiration, and emotion. For anyone who loves music, especially the soulful sound of a violin, I highly recommend checking out Karolina’s work. You can find her on YouTube here.

In another new chapter of my journey, I reached a long-time goal: moving into an apartment all by myself. I believed that living on my own would force me to step out of my comfort zone and learn more about who I truly am. Don’t get me wrong—I always loved the idea of living with my best friends, and that possibility came close a couple of times. However, as life would have it, I ended up embracing solo living.

Before this, I shared a space with three other roommates—a fun, chaotic time filled with laughter, shared memories, and invaluable lessons. I treasure those days, and I hope to share more stories about that period and the impact each one had on me someday.

Reflecting on all these experiences, I realize that every step, every challenge, and every serendipitous moment has contributed to the person I am today. Even the rainy walks and the echoes of a favorite song remind me to embrace the beauty in every twist and turn of life.

Meanwhile, the craziest part of finding the perfect apartment at this stage of my life was all thanks to a determined friend who wouldn’t stop encouraging me to look beyond what I knew. She suggested I consider the city—Chicago, to be exact—having just moved from the suburbs herself. I was hesitant at first. Even though I’d always dreamed of living in the city, concerns like the long commute, the noise, and finding my way around made me think twice.

But when the search in the suburbs and near my work led nowhere, I decided to take a leap of faith and check out a place in the city. It was a last-minute decision, yet it turned out to be in a fantastic location. Since I knew my friend lived somewhere nearby (though I never really looked into exactly where), I asked if she’d join me on a tour. She did, and guess what? It turned out her apartment was less than a mile away from this new place. We’d be able to see each other from the rooftops of our buildings—it felt almost too perfect, like a sign from the universe. I still like to think of it as destiny at work.

Speaking of destiny, another serendipitous connection reminded me just how intertwined our lives can be. I made a friend in college after joining the swim club—a time when I’d just moved cross-country from Illinois to Texas and knew hardly anyone. She, along with another friend, was one of the first people to welcome me into her world. Over time, I discovered that she hailed from a suburb in Illinois—a place I once knew well—aside from that our birthdays were nearly identical.

One day, while we were celebrating our birthdays together, I posted a picture of us on Facebook. A comment from one of her relatives caught me off guard: “Sally, who do you know in this picture? The silly one on the left is my cousin’s daughter.” Turns out, my relative Sally (a name I use to protect her privacy) had worked with my friend’s relative for 17 years at the same school. It was one of those unbelievable, “everything happens for a reason” moments that made me pause and smile at life’s intricate tapestry.

All these experiences—finding the perfect apartment, reconnecting with old ties, and discovering unexpected links between people—have reinforced a truth for me: our lives are beautifully intertwined by chance, timing, and a little bit of destiny. Each twist, each coincidence, is a reminder that even when we take a risk or step outside our comfort zone, the universe has a way of guiding us toward where we truly belong.

So here I am, embracing the unexpected, trusting the small signs along the way, and grateful for the moments that continue to shape who I am. And if you ever find yourself at a crossroads or questioning whether to take that leap, remember that sometimes the most unexpected detours lead us exactly where we need to be.

Looking back on these moments, I realize how much they’ve taught me about courage, resilience, and the beauty of human connection. From pushing past my fear of driving alone to savoring the time spent with a dear friend, every experience has reinforced the importance of saying “yes” to life—even when it feels uncertain or uncomfortable.

Sometimes, the things we hesitate to do are the ones that turn into the most cherished memories. They remind us that life isn’t about waiting for the perfect circumstances but about embracing the moment, however imperfect it may seem.

So, if there’s something you’ve been putting off because of fear, uncertainty, or hesitation, take this as a little nudge. Send that text. Make that trip. Try something new. You never know how much joy, growth, or connection is waiting on the other side of a simple decision.

As a signature of my blog, I’d like to end this post with a suggestion to “Pass on kindness.” There’s no time like the present to Inspire Those Who Inspire You. Acts of kindness, no matter how big or small, can have a direct, positive impact on someone else. Go out there today and change someone’s life for the better!

***These are my personal opinions and may not be those of my employer.***