Before Zillow and Instagram listings, real estate dreams were sold one mysterious code at a time. One of my earliest freelance jobs involved decoding cryptic listings and turning them into storybook homes—without ever seeing a single one. That $3 gig taught me the most valuable lesson of all: show up, write anyway, and trust that words can build something real—even when you’re working with an empty lot.

We all know what it’s like to play hairstylist roulette—and lose. This is a tale of curls, cautionary trims, and $20 regrets. From dreams of silver-screen elegance to fast-food wisdom at the drive-thru window, it’s a reminder that if you’re going to ask fate to dance… you better take the lead.

Nine weddings. Zero fairytales. And enough plot twists to fill a Netflix series. Here’s an essay that reflects on a lifetime of bridal mishaps, near-misses, and why I’m finally happy to have a cocktail in hand — and no bouquet to catch.

From recycled pickles and 3 a.m. shifts to teary-eyed drive-thru workers and surprise cups of chai, here’s the hard-earned lessons of service work I learned — and why kindness is never wasted.

What began as a temporary shift upstairs became something more: a daily front-row seat to nature’s grandest performance. From summer’s green pirouettes to autumn’s curtain call and winter’s glittering encore, one red maple tree outside my window reminded me that beauty, strength, and renewal are always in season—if you’re lucky enough to be watching.