You may not always end up where you thought you were going, but you will always end up where you are meant to be. – Unknown.
Over these past few months, my life has taken many unexpected twists and turns. When I reflect back on a year ago, it’s amazing to see how much I’ve grown and learned about myself within those twists and turns. For instance, I was just a recent college grad who was struggling to make money as a server for a catering company at this time last year. To anyone struggling at the moment, it’s important for you to know that it gets better.
It was about this time last year when I received an internship and a freelance writing position, both online, to help me move forward with my dreams. The internship was short-lived (I learned quickly it wasn’t for me), but the freelance writing filled my heart with happiness as I was finally getting paid to do something that I love.
In December, I was on the phone with my dad hysterically crying about my life and how it was anything but what I expected life to be life after graduating. I was physically worn out from working insane hours during the Holiday season at the catering company, and stressed due to the lack of articles the freelance writing company was giving me (I later found out they were going in a different direction with their freelance writing- but not before I sent them an e-mail a month later asking if they forgot about me. Poor professionalism in my personal opinion.). Sure, the part time job with bi-weekly paychecks and lenient bosses who approved of almost any time off that you requested was incredibly nice. The hours, however, were not, especially in the slow periods of the year. During the hustle and bustle of the fast-paced Christmas season, I knew that I needed to find a new path and as soon as possible.
My dad has always been one with words, and he gave me some great advice after listening to me cry for an hour. He told me that I’m only 22. I have my whole life ahead of me. Accepting a job outside of my immediate field right away isn’t necessarily a bad thing- not only will I have a more solid paycheck, but I’ll be gaining experience. He explained that I’m still young enough to get a job doing what I would like to do, as long as I never let it out of my sight and continue to work towards it. Being so young allows a multitude of opportunities to present themselves as long as I’m willing to keep an open mind. And that’s what I did.
It was then that I started creating multiple paths for myself. I applied to Grad School, various jobs, and looked into employment agencies. By February of this year, I had two interviews lined up through an employment agency and I was accepted into Grad School for a Master’s Degree in English.
The only way I could afford Grad School was if I received a Graduate Assistantship position. Then, if I accepted one, the Grad School I was accepted to only paid a slim stipend of a maximum of $4,000 or $5,000 per year.
I never heard back about GA positions until May, when I already accepted a temp-to-hire position as a transcriptionist with a law firm in my area. I debated whether I should accept it, but considering working part-time wasn’t cutting it anymore, I had to make the decision fast. I compared the $4,000 to $5,000 stipend to my hourly wage, and taking the transcription position over going back to school seemed like the right path for me to travel down.
It’s now only a short-time later at the law firm and I’m full-time with benefits, and on top of that, two weeks ago I received my first “promotion.” I’m no longer a transcriptionist- I’m now a legal secretary! On top of that, the part of the firm I’m working with is a small medical malpractice who merged with us in May and are some of the greatest coworkers I’ve ever had. It seems like it can’t get any better, right?
Wrong. One of the attorneys in the med malpractice firm is not only encouraging me to follow my dreams as a journalist; he’s helping me find a way there. A few days ago, he met with me and told me straight up that he wants me to do something that I actually love to do, not live day by day. He told me that somehow he would help get me there, as long as I don’t mind being patient. He has already presented an opportunity to me that could definitely help my future as a writer, but I don’t want to jinx anything before I know if it’s possible.
On top of all of the achievements in my professional world, my personal life has been getting better every day. I never thought I would fall in love with someone, especially at a young age, because of how self-conscious I was by always comparing myself to others. I never thought my life would get any better in this aspect, but two years and some months ago, I was proven wrong all because a silly boy who was completely intoxicated just happened to land beside me on a couch at a sorority formal.
Fast forward to May 2015, when I went back to my Alma Mater to see my now boyfriend of two years graduate with both my family and his. It was a great day as I was seeing old friends and faculty who will forever hold a special place in my heart. Little did I know it was about to get better.
At my graduation, it hailed in 60 degree weather. At my boyfriend’s graduation, it decided to downpour for a solid fifteen minutes which started shortly after he walked across the stage to receive his diploma. We all ran for cover into the corridor of the main building on campus, called “Old Main.” (Picture the outside corridors in Harry Potter– shout out to this blogger for capturing this beautiful view.) I didn’t pay any mind to everyone gathering around me; I assumed it was all because of the rain, and that it was crowded because of the plethora of alumni, faculty, staff, family and students who had to somehow fit in the space to be sheltered from the storm.
Kyle ran to find his aunt who was lost in the sea of people, but I thought nothing of it because I knew we were all going out to eat after his graduation. I spoke to my Alpha Xi Delta sisters and friends and family who were surrounding me about the rain, and how ironic it was that two years in a row we had awful weather for graduation.
Next thing I know, I see Kyle running up to me with a nervous expression on his face until he said my name.
“Emily,” he said as he got down on one knee. “This is not how this was supposed to go because the rain ruined everything but I love you….will you marry me?”
I bawled.
Cried of happiness for a solid ten minutes. Shaking and smiling and my stomach bursting with butterflies because I was overjoyed.
He made me the happiest girl in the world that day, and continues to make me happier every day that we’re together. He’s one of a kind, that’s for sure.
Nothing about our relationship has been conventional, and that makes it all the better. The fact that everything was so rushed and so quick- it was absolutely perfect. He later told me during our long four hour drive home his actual plan- to propose by the fountain, his elaborate speech that he had been mentally preparing for days, weeks, months. Everyone congratulated us afterwards and told me how they all knew for months, some even for as long as a year. Even though I know I’m still young and that I have my whole life ahead of me, there isn’t a doubt in my mind that Kyle is the perfect guy for me. I feel even luckier to find him at such a young age because that just means that I have longer to spend with him.
I’m thankful to have someone who pushes all of my insecurities aside, who makes me feel like the most loved person in the world, who will do anything for me, who makes me laugh almost every moment we’re together, who listens and gives so much to anyone and everyone around him without asking a thing in return and who proves to me every day that it/life gets better.
Here’s a picture of the fountain where he was going to propose (not taken by me- found on Google): 
To anyone who is struggling to find a job after graduation, who is bothered by their self-image, or is upset about anything else in life- it does get better. I hope my story (and update on my life) can be accepted as proof. If you would have told me two years ago that I would be working at a law firm while living with my fiance in an apartment in a town two hours from where I was born and raised, I wouldn’t have believed you, and I probably would have laughed. However, I’m realizing now that, at this moment, this is exactly where I’m meant to be.
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