Today officially marks the five year anniversary of my move from Florida to Connecticut! On one hand it feels like I just moved here, and on the other I feel like I’ve been here forever. While I did give a little six month and three year update, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to celebrate this milestone!
A few weeks ago I was looking at my snapchat memories when I came across a picture in the hotel room I stayed in five years ago. The two-ish day trip I chose to take against everyone’s advice ended up being a trip that, quite literally, changed my life. I even made a Tiktok about it should you be interested.
Many things can happen in the span of five years. I know a lot has for me anyways. Since first arriving in 2018 I’ve:
- Lived in 2 different apartments in 2 different towns
- Started working in HR
- Published 4 children’s books
- Played in multiple adult volleyball leagues
- Found love AND got engaged!!
Yes you read that right, ya girl has been promoted to FIANCEE! Probably my most favorite thing to happen in these five years.
About a month or so I was *suspiciously* getting ready to “go out” with a friend. I say suspiciously, because I had a hunch that it might be THE day. My boyfriend, Noe, and our neighbor, Tarrine, had begun acting more suspicious in the weeks leading up to this day, so I felt like I was on the right track. However, even with that feeling, I was still surprised!
I would often think about how it was going to happen, where it would happen, and what exactly would happen, and I could never truly come to an answer. The answer ended up being at Elizabeth Park in West Hartford, a place Noe and I often talked about going to but never did. They have a rose garden and Noe and Tarrine (our neighbor) worked on setting up one of the archways with some heart shaped balloons and paper bags that spelled out “Will You Marry Me?”.
While I was suspicious something was going to happen, I definitely thought Tarrine and I would be doing something ahead of time. Maybe grab lunch, or go to the mall, or drink some wine. Much to my surprise, the first stop after I got into the car was the park! Under the impression we were there to drop her grandson off at a party, I was walking through the gardens saying to myself ‘wow this would be a great place to get married’. It was at that point, things started to add up.
As I round the corner, I see the balloons when Tarrine stops next to me. There’s a girl in front of us taking pictures in front of this awesome set up (that’s totally not for her) with zero inclination of what’s going on around her (i.e the person this set up is for waiting for her to move). While we’re waiting, I see Noe come out from behind one of the archways with flowers, and I finally get to make my way down to see him as the tears stream down my face. As expected, I meet him at the end, he gets on one knee, and asks if I’ll marry him!
We’re also coming up on our 5 year dating anniversary in December, so much to celebrate all around! The last five years have been amazing, and while I do miss my friends, family, and the Florida beaches, there isn’t a single day that goes by that I ever regret my decision to move here.
As I’ve said a million times already, what’s meant to be will be. Sometimes the stars really will align to ensure you end up exactly where you’re supposed to be.
This will likely be my last move update, but I hope you stick around for future posts! In a couple more months I’ll be posting my Student Loan Debt update, so check out the previous ones under Money Talk.
Thank you for reading, and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on anything! ❤
TRAUDTSTWOCENTS 