Solid Ground Part Two

  On Nov 26th my life changed forever. (Keep in mind I moved down on Nov 15th)  Over the last couple years I'd been chatting on and off with this guy on Facebook and through email.  We grew up the in same town, went to the same schools and had the same circle of friends, but had never met (which we both find very strange). He was a year ahead of me in school yet, we do not remember each other at all.  When I relocated to Brampton, he informs me that he's heading to Toronto for a seminar and that we need to meet up.  Well, me being me, I fought it.  I was stressed, tired and very much not into spending my off time socialising, when I could be catching up on sleep.  But he insisted. 
  So he arrives at my place, hung over from a killer party the night before, and I meet him in the parking lot.   He calls out my name in the dark, and we lock eyes.  I knew right then...I was done.  I gave him a big hug and invited him up. We chatted for a bit when he informs me that he needs a shower. While in the shower, I call my mother.  "Mom, I met him." "Who? What?"  "My soul mate. I'm done."
  He gets out of the shower and we proceed to have the longest talk of our lives. (until 5 am)  We chatted about how he was convinced he was supposed to be with a girl back home, how he'd recently had a psychic reading and that all the signs pointed to her.  I listened patiently and waited...for him to clue in.  Our talk was spiritual, something that I'd never had before with anyone other than my mother, and as the night went on, I could see him shift.  The more we talked the more we clicked.  His process was apparent, starting with, "we'll be BFFs," then a few hours later, "we'll be each others back up plan," then by the end of it all...he finally said, "You're the one!"  (And the psychic reading was referring to me...in case you're wondering.)
  The realisation was certain, unwavering, raw and overwhelming.  And of course, I felt the same.  Love!  True love, deep love...not lust or infatuation.  The connection was undeniable.  He asked me to marry him that night, and I said ..."let me think about it." Was I playing hard to get?  Not really.  I just needed a moment or two to feel the truth.  But my morning, I was all in.
  We talked about our future, our dreams and ambitions.  All the same. There was nothing left to do but to be together. 
  So we left it as it was.  A promise to be together forever, but not right away. 
  With work I had an insane guilt eating at me regarding the fact that I had promised them something too.  I'd moved down to do a job, they paid for my move and I felt bad that I was breaking that promise.  So we decided that I would stay awhile (a few months), clean up the store and get my finances together before moving back with him.
  He left.  I cried.  It was hard to see the man I loved leave and not know when I would see him again.
  So we talked on the phone every night, sometimes for 5 minutes, and sometimes for 3 hours.  And the more we talked, the more I missed him.  Days were longer and harder.  We needed to be together.  The more we talked the more we dwindled down my escape date.  And then finally the day came where we said, let's get married now and move on with our lives together.
  I swallowed my pride and gave my 2 weeks notice at work and began planning our wedding.  Something small, just the 2 of us, cause after all, it'll always be, just the two of us.
  But once my notice was given, all the unanswered questions, were answered.  Windfalls on his end and mine started sprouting and everything fell into place.  There was no room for doubt. 
  On Dec 31st I became Mrs. Marc Bronson, on Jan 1st I moved home and everything continues to fall into place.  Blessed.
  I was reminded by someone that everything happens for a reason.  Something I've always believed, but often forget.  As hard as that time was, if I wouldn't have moved to Brampton, I would have never realised that I no longer enjoyed my work, I would have never met Marc, and I wouldn't have the amazing gifts, the amazing life and the amazing future that I have now. 

  When I quit my job, they asked for the moving expenses back.  I was hurt, not surprised...but the realisation that I was just a number, that business was indeed business, even after my 12 years there, cut me deep.  They made me sign a paper stating that the amount would be taking off my last pay cheque. And just to prove that sometimes humanity does intercede... I got my last pay this week.  The full amount was there.  The moving cost, never deducted.

Just goes to show, never underestimate the human spirit...and what love can do...land you on solid ground.

Solid Ground Part One

  Some of you may be wondering what I've been up to over the last few months, as I've been MIA.  Well, here's a catch up post.
  At the end of last summer I was approached by my Head Office to transfer with my job.  After being in my current location I jumped at the chance for a new adventure.  Mid November rolled around and I moved to Brampton ON, ready for a new lifestyle and new experiences.  I convinced myself that this was the breath of fresh air that would turn my life from something routine and nearly stagnant, to something exciting and positive.  Well, you know that old saying; be careful what you wish for...
  On Nov 15th I relocated and was suddenly bombarded by one thing after another.  What could go wrong, did.  On my moving date, there was a hidden "stair fee" and I had to dish out $500 cash before the movers would even load the truck.  Once we got there, my Head Office hadn't paid the movers yet, and we had to wait around in the cold (a few hours) until the assistant taking care of my case was back at her desk.
  Once I was finally moved in, I thought, "awesome, a great new place and a new life begins."  After all, what move ever goes without a hitch.
  As I settled in for a relaxing evening of reading in bed I noticed a bug on the wall.  I scooped it up and went back into bed.  Then...I noticed another, and another...and another.  I sprayed them with bleach and had a good look at them.  Yes, you guessed it.  BED BUGS!  Not impressed I spent the night spraying, collecting and freezing them as evidence for the management office.  Needless to say I did not get very much sleep that night.  Which was made all the more horrendous, by the fact that the next day I was starting my new job.
  The management office did as much as they could and put me up in a furnished suite until everything could get sorted out, and another apartment opened up.  They informed me that they had just taken over the building and were unaware of the problem.
  Now everyone and there mother seemed to have advice for me concerning this issue, and the general consensus was...sue.  I did contact a lawyer and she informed me I had a case, to recoup losses (I had to buy a new bed, sheets and so forth, rewash and repack all my belongings...etc.)  But, if you know me at all,  you know I don't believe that negative actions produce positive results.  So I dropped it.  They put me up, and did the best they could with a shitty situation and I was pleased in the end with the results. A few weeks later I managed to snap up a great 1 bedroom (which was slightly cheaper) on the 25th floor, with a sick city view.
  Now on top of all this, I was working full time during the holiday season, in retail, with a low performing store, with a brand new staff and huge fires to put out, pressure from above and realising that after 12 years in this field...I no longer liked my job.  In fact I kinda hated it.  I was no longer getting the satisfaction I once got from changing over a store.  My heart had left the building. 
  So now what?  I'm in a city, alone, where I hate my job, everything is twice the price from where I came, and I've incurred a nice little debt with all the moving and bug expenses.

Well, I definitely could have let the stress get to me, or I could let it go and leave it to faith/fate.  Which is exactly what I did.  And something amazing, mind blowing, life changing happened...