In case you haven’t yet learned this important lesson, let me share some knowledge. Life is short. Because life is short, have some fun with it. Spend time with the people you love, buy the shoes, kiss that person in the middle of the rain, do what you want and don’t hurt others.
This lesson hasn’t always been one I’ve followed. I’ve wasted a lot of time sitting at home alone because I didn’t want to go out. I spent time in an unhappy marriage. I’ve been shy, afraid and bored. I let that go in 2015 for the most part and started embracing life more. I got out, I met my soulmate, I liberated myself. I chose to be happy, even if depression would still claw it’s way into my life. I stopped caring about what people think of me and started living.
By the end of 2015 I was blissfully in love again and doing my best to ignore the criticism about ending my marriage and moving on unexpectedly. Did I care? A little. I heard a lot of hurtful things that had been said. Was I doing my best to ignore it and focus on my relationship? Yes!
This relationship would help me grow. I’m the strong woman I needed to be. I was a better mother. I was a better girlfriend. A better friend. You get the idea.
Fast forward to May of 2017 — I’ve realized at this time that I know exactly what I want and I know how to get it. I know that life is short and that I’d like to spend the rest of my life with the one person that makes me happy every single day, even days that he’s 189 miles away. I proposed to Billy with a blue ring pop. That engagement was fun. We took our time and eventually came up with the wedding that we wanted. Something small, fun, and the most perfect way for two weirdos to commit to a life together.
My favorite thing to hear from people is that I seem happier or that Billy and I are #relationshipgoals or just seem really happy together. Spoiler alert, all true things. I always respond with something sarcastic like “good, because we got married.” But I’ve started noticing that sometimes that comes from people that aren’t always happy in their relationship. Then I feel a little guilty for always being part of the super cute couple that is BillyChrystal. (Yeah, I did that. Even though I roll my eyes when people say that.) There are people out there that stay with someone for convenience. Because they have a kid or two. Because it’s been a long time and honestly, why leave now? But I lived that life once. I swore to never live it again. Why? BECAUSE LIFE IS TOO SHORT TO BE UNHAPPY. Sorry, sometimes you need to scream that out so the people in the back hear it too.
Life will always have ups and downs. You won’t be happy every single day. Last year was the most intense year for me and I don’t know how I made it through some of those days. But with every person we lost or bad thing that happened, it reminded me to keep living my life the way I wanted. Plan more trips, see the world, stay up too late, leave a job that made me unhappy.
I will not apologize for doing things that make me happy. I’ll continue to dance with my kids in the living room to 90’s hip hop and Queen. I will continue to drunkenly sing “Wonderwall” to my dog or serenade Billy to Weezer, Jason Derulo and other songs that he probably hates. I will stay up laughing with my friends. Or stay up planning cool vacations to Japan or the Kentucky Derby. I will continue to make funny faces and try to sneakily grab Billy’s butt in public. I will continue my weekend drives to be in my happy place with the love of my life. I will always love unconditionally and surround myself with the things that make me happy. Like my kids, Billy, macarons and hockey. And all the dogs.
I encourage you to do the same. Life is short so make it fun and full of adventure instead of regrets.
