Life has a funny way of always catching up with you. Moments fly by as they become memories and mistakes that once kept you up at night become life lessons that you wouldn’t trade for anything.
When I first moved to Nashville, I was a wide-eyed and eager girl from the Midwest. I was a dreamer, but also a little afraid of my own voice. My move here was driven by the dream of achieving something much bigger than I thought possible in Missouri. Along the way, there have been road blocks, tearful admissions of failure and a hundred other reasons for me to pack my bags and head back to the comfort of home.
Now, nearly ten years later I have found a life much better than the one I’d dreamt of all those years ago. I have found my own voice to be strong and empowering enough to push through the white noise of the negativity often directed at those who dare to dream. Also, I have discovered that the dreams of a wide-eyed Midwestern girl can grow and evolve and become even bigger and better. More importantly, I’ve discovered that sometimes, even reality is better than those dreams.
I used to say I wish I hadn’t decided to take a year off after high school, but the six years it turned into were full of experiences that made me the woman I am today. More importantly, they taught me that I can both be successful (and happy) in the corporate world AND still find my escape and passion in writing. Over the years, the medium has shifted from lyrics to novels, but the stories I aim to tell are still the same.
More importantly, I have learned that I am capable of loving and being loved – something I never dreamt possible. Had I given up all those years ago and moved home or had I followed the traditional route and gone straight to college, I never would have met my now husband, nor would I met all the amazing people that I know today. I also wouldn’t know what real, hard work is all about – or that sweat equity is sometimes the best kind of equity.
Happiness is a good place to be and these days, I finally feel that I have found that place.