I Got Friendzoned By A Cowboy

And now I’m happy to be there.

The sunset view from the balcony in San Francisco. We had coffee with honey in tiny blue cups.

The fall that I started graduate school was undisputedly one of the most difficult times of my life to date. It’s strange to look back and realize that despite the fact that from September 2017 to March 2018, I ended an engagement, called off my wedding, moved out of my parents home, lost my first apartment to a flood, had an unsuccessful whirlwind romance that ended with me getting dumped, and had my new apartment destroyed by my crazy dog, the fall that followed still sticks out in my mind as much more of a beast. At that time, I finally decided to take the plunge and move out of my hometown, which had nothing left for me, to pursue my advanced degree. It seemed as though things were going my way at last, and I knew that I was destined for a bright future in beautiful coastal California. But when it rains here, man it really pours, and I was in for a rude awakening.

My first month in my new coastal town was full of waiting. My job fell through and school didn’t start immediately, so I waited it out in my apartment. I didn’t know anyone in my new town. My roommates and I had almost nothing in common. I ventured out to find some of the cool places, but I mostly felt awkward walking my dog alone downtown or on the beach when all of the smiling people my age were with friends or significant others. Instead of finding…