Hi, and welcome!

I started this Substack because after spending decades struggling with depression, anxiety, grief, and hopelessness, I suddenly and unexpectedly found myself on an amazing journey I didn’t consciously plan, leading me to a destination I didn’t deliberately choose, achieving a kind of fulfillment I didn’t previously believe was possible.

I discovered that I could let go of what I’d been holding onto that made me miserable. I started figuring out what was important to me apart from everything I felt I “had to” do or “should be” doing. I learned how to let myself be happy. Then, through a series of unexpected and extraordinary events, I met and married the love of my life. We don’t live in the same country or even speak the same language, but our relationship is a testament to the fact that love can overcome any obstacle.

Almost every time I tell part of my story to friends, colleagues, strangers on airplanes, I hear, “You have to write about that!” So here I am.

I always knew I had a writer in me, but I never could get past all the obstacles that shut me down when I tried - until now. I chose the title of this publication because it summarizes what finally motivated me to start taking myself seriously and write. It also happens to be the name of one of the best episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, which was one of my sister’s favorite shows, so the title is partly a way of linking my writing to her. I so wish she could have known the me that exists now.

The majority of my writing focuses on the story of my relationship with my husband, our experiences in Cuba, and the challenges we currently face living mostly separated from each other. Occasionally, I also write about my personal history and how my past experiences led me to where I am now.

I never thought I could live the kind of life I have now. I am so incredibly grateful to be able to share it with you.

Free subscribers to this publication will have access to occasional free posts and previews of all my content.

If you choose to become a paid subscriber, you will have access to all of my current posts and publication archives. I am also working on a tangible thank-you for my paid subscribers. Stay tuned!

Founding members will have access to exclusive content and my undying gratitude. Truly. I am also working on a special, tangible thank-you for Founding Member subscribers. Stay tuned!

Every paid subscription helps me to ensure that I can continue writing and funding travel, legal expenses, and government fees as I navigate the complex processes that will hopefully enable my husband and me to truly build a life together someday. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who has supported me with a paid subscription. This isn’t an easy road to navigate, and I feel so very blessed to have your support uplifting me.

P.S. About my Substack’s logo: I have always been fascinated by the Turritopsis dohrnii, a tiny (4.5 mm!) jellyfish that can restart its life an indefinite number of times, making it theoretically immortal. I wanted to use it as my logo, but it turns out that it’s not terribly photogenic. In its place I chose an image that reminded me of both the jellyfish and the colors of Cuba. Every time I want to quit, I imagine that little jellyfish zapping itself back into a ball of stem cells and starting again. Probably not quite biologically accurate, but inspiring nonetheless.

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