One eighty.

Part of the reason things have been a lot quieter over at these parts in the past year is because it's been a really really hard year. I have shared a little bit about my separation a year ago, but I have chosen to mostly keep my private life just that, private. I have now been separated for 13 months and the paperwork for my divorce is going through. My ex Derek and I are on amicable terms but that doesn't mean it's been an easy road for either of us. There has been a lot of hurt and sadness on both ends, and not just for us, but it's also been extremely difficult on both of our families.

That said, things have been changing drastically again for me lately as I start a new chapter with a wonderful man named Gareth. We have been dating for a little while now, and after this last weekend I had, it's safe to say that I am smitten. He too is going through a separation and has two beautiful little girls who I have yet to spend time with (although I have known them for years). He makes me feel like a kid again and I thought it was time I introduced you...

Meet Gareth: The amazing man who has turned my life upside down in the best way possible. I could get really sappy and list one hundred reasons as to why I think he's so incredible, but i'll save that for a different blog post ;) Just trust me when I say I feel lighter and happier than I have...well, ever. I feel like my cheeks hurt from the amount that I smile these days, even now as I type this I can feel myself grinning like an idiot to my computer. It's nice to be genuinely happy, and feel like you can fully be yourself with someone. I wouldn't give this feeling up for anything.

Floating. (Insert all the heart eye emojis.)

Spent a good chunk of time skipping stones, and throwing rocks up in the air and trying to hit them (the jock in me still exists!)

We went for a walk to the grocery store to get some milk for the morning, and came across this adorable little pooch! Her name is Willie and I need one. Soon.

Gahhhh, look at that long, tiny body and dopey face!

Bbq steak, potato and mushroom skewers for dinner.

Butter pecan for him & black cherry for me. We ate our cones and stood under the awning just barely avoiding the torrential downpour that appeared out of nowhere.

I napped the entire ride home while he listened to a podcast about calendars and leap years. We finished the night off with fresh rhubarb crisp followed by "The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared."
In other exciting news, I move out of the studio and into my new home in a just under two weeks! You can't even imagine how excited I am to have a home with a bathtub and a stove and closet space! More updates to come, until then, i'll be packing.
Happy Monday everyone! XO, Erin