Today Is Our Anniversary

Dear Universe,

Today should have been our anniversary – 13 years together, three married.

If you had asked me six months ago when the divorce papers were finalized where I thought I would be on this day, I’d have told you I would probably be sitting around crying over everything I had lost.

And yeah, I do find myself sitting around crying, Universe. I’m sitting on my writing bench in the forest crying tears of gratitude over everything I have found.

I have found my voice.

I have found people who bring me joy.

I have found purpose.

I have found a reason to look forward to tomorrow again.

For the first time in half a year – strike that, for the first time in many years – I find myself genuinely answering “good” instead of “fine” when people ask me how I’m doing.

I’m not just surviving anymore. And I’m definitely not settling anymore.

I’ve learned the cost of growth – through buckets of tears and too many lonely nights and countless steps through the woods. But it’s a price I would pay again and again.

Now I know what it feels like to be truly alive. And I’m not willing to give that up for anything anymore.

I won’t stay in situations that aren’t fulfilling. I won’t convince anyone to love me. I won’t make myself smaller to fit someone else’s mold.

I am living. My way. Going after what I want. Being unapologetically who I am. Welcoming with open arms the people who choose to be by my side while I do it.

On this anniversary day, I am celebrating what once was right and beautiful. Because it was. It mattered. And now it’s over.

So today I am letting it go.

Thank you to those years for the memories and the lessons learned.

I move forward with a full heart and a passion for life that can’t be taken from me.

I have no fucking clue where that is going to take me next, but damn if I don’t look forward to the journey.

XO – Bailee

October 12, 2026