Anchor in the Chaos

       Life has a way of throwing curveballs when you least expect it. My move to Wilmington, NC was supposed to be a fresh start—a chance to better myself and chase something more fulfilling. And in many ways, it was. But beneath the surface, I was still searching for love in all the wrong places, hoping to fill a void that needed healing, not distraction. 💔 Wilmington: A New Beginning with Unexpected Turns 💔      Wilmington held promise. I had a job, a new city, and the hope of transformation. But then, the unexpected happened—the company I worked for shut down its Wilmington office, leaving many of us jobless. It was a tough blow, but thankfully, I had already started applying elsewhere. One of those applications was to the Disney College Program in Florida—a long shot, but a dream nonetheless. 🎢 Orlando Bound: Living the Disney Dream 🎢      To my surprise and delight, I was accepted into the program. This was more than just a jo...

     The year of 2013 into 2014 was yet another chapter of chaos in my life—though I didn’t know it then, change was on the horizon.      I stayed on a destructive path: drinking too much, staying out too late with friends, and constantly searching for love in all the wrong places. I was still living with Kara—who was like a mother to me—trying to be somewhat responsible by paying rent, keeping up with bills (to an extent), completing online college courses, and working full-time. But none of that ever stopped me from drinking.      After attending a friend’s wedding, I had a moment of reckoning. I looked in the mirror and saw someone I didn’t recognize or want to be. I was miserable. I was gaining weight from the drinking. And deep down, I knew I needed a change.      After a heartfelt conversation with Kara, we agreed it was time for me to move on. I ended up relocating to Wilmington, NC, with her then-husband, Bill, in hope...

     This phase of my life was a whirlwind—blurry, raw, and filled with lessons I didn’t yet know I was learning. Through it all, I was lucky to have Linda in my corner. She was more than a friend—she was a quiet force of grace, always trying to advocate for me, even speaking with my dad during a time when I couldn’t quite find my own voice. Our lunches at Tropical Smoothie were a small comfort, and her son Jimmy was one of my early relationships here in Virginia Beach.      While I stayed out of legal trouble during this time, I didn’t stop drinking after my DWI. I thought I could be more responsible—control the time and place—but the truth is, I was still trying to numb myself. I was working at Homewood Suites until September 2013, and I’ll never forget being nominated during National Travel and Tourism Week. That meant something to me.      I later transitioned to SpringHill Suites to become a Night Auditor. I wanted more experience becaus...