As I reflect on the twists and turns of my 38-year journey,

it’s clear that life isn’t just a string of moments but a collection of experiences, some joyful and others, well, laden with regrets. I don’t just have one regret; I have several. But if there’s anything age has taught me, it’s that regrets are not just shadows from the past; they’re stepping stones toward wisdom.

The First Regret: A Hasty Marriage

The first regret that whispers to me from the depths of memory is the impulsive decision to tie the knot while still in high school. Oh, the naivety! I missed out on the chance to truly discover myself before intertwining my life with another’s. Yet, this misstep gave rise to an unexpected twist. While it might have felt like I was maturing too quickly, in reality, I was being equipped with life lessons that no classroom could offer. I learned about love’s complexities, the intricacies of partnership, and the dynamics of family. I was being forged by experience.

Learning from Heartache and Foreclosure

Next on this winding path came Marcus—a boyfriend, a dream home, and a sudden twist of fate. Giving up my apartment to share life with him brought me face to face with a harsh truth: his unaddressed mortgage debt. This chapter taught me the profound depth of my supportive nature and unveiled my strength to leave when the relationship had run its course. The outcome? I was not only capable of uprooting my life across the country but also of walking away from what didn’t serve me.

Lessons in Second Chances and Self-Value

Nate entered my story, a second chance that unfolded like a cautionary tale. Granting him another shot revealed his true intentions—an attempt to use and cheat on me. Hearing his blunt admission of never finding me attractive during our time together was a blow to the heart. This regret-packed chapter, however, schooled me in discerning true intentions and realizing that physical intimacy doesn’t equate to genuine attraction. It empowered me to seek a love that sees me and values me for who I am.

Walking into Clarity: Living with Larel

Then came Larel, a chapter still fresh in my memory. Moving in with him underlined the fact that his feelings were not fully invested in “us.” This experience has left me with lessons still unfolding. Among them, an unwavering commitment to myself—to the understanding that my next partner must be unequivocally enamored with me, no substitutes allowed.

 I realize that regrets are not chains to hold us back but treasures that illuminate our path. They’ve guided me toward self-discovery, resilience, and unwavering self-love. I’ve emerged with the clarity that future love must be grounded in authenticity, passion, and mutual respect.