Where have you been all these years?!
Er...how long was I away? Since, what, 2012? 2013?
Well...lots happened. My partner in AZ and I called it quits after 12 years, much to the relief of us both. We're still friends, but really never should've been a couple. I worked crappy hours for nowhere near enough pay as a senior caregiver, witnessed a friend die of cancer, worked crappy retail, became very depressed. Finally visited my brother & family in FL and met my little nieces (now 9 & 7).
Decided I was going to end up completely alone. Considered checking out of this plane. Met some fantastic people, one of whom launched a side career as a professional editor; another convinced me that I should try love one more time by looking at online dating.
Met a brilliant, creative, happily Gonzo man on OkCupid. Second day after "meeting" online, we had a 9-hr-straight conversation. Next day, we agreed to see each other exclusively. On day five, we were engaged.
Spent a summer raising funding through Indiegogo to relocate. November 2014, I drove 3 days from AZ to Wisconsin. Been here since, with the best froggie ever/audio engineer/bibliophile/love of my life. Went from crap retail job to ok temp job to permanent office job with a decent company. We spend some time doing fun stuff with his family, as his siblings also live here. I'm still editing, still writing, and very happy with my life, despite the growing bleakness of the world...
So, stuff.