As I rest today, listening to the wind and the rain of Hurricane Matthew, I cannot help but be reminded of home. The storm is gentle though and far less intense than the afternoon ragers of Florida fame.

I do miss the storms. I miss the lightning and the ferocity. I miss a few other things too (like Bosphorus, strolling Park Ave, my closest friends, my nugget, and the sheer volume of potential found in a city). But this little place holds magic for me. It draws me in, holds me close, and whispers in my ear that everything is alright. It was love at first sight. In fact, my Wilmington song is Depeche Mode’s Nothing’s Impossible. I was listening to the song as I rolled into town in August and it struck me as perfect for the time and place that I exist in right now.

I was a bit worried that I was suffering from a severe case of ‘grass is greener’ syndrome when I moved, and that I would find myself with the same old issues in a different place. I am unbelievably relieved to report that such was not the case. To be oh so cliché, my life has made a 180 degree turn. I feel woken. I’m shaking off the creeping death that stalked me for the past 15 years. Perhaps I needed to put some distance between myself and the pain I carried in my soul. There were reminders everywhere I went. Reminders of school pressures. Reminders of lost friends. Reminders of old hurts. Reminders of too much work and no play. And I felt like everywhere I went, I was Dave’s ex. Here I am just me. More me than I have been in ages.

Old love interests have been rekindled. I am diving deep into music again, and my hands are itching to plunge into clay and paint. I enjoy little things here, like how the air feels on my skin. I no longer feel like I am struggling to find something. I don’t feel like I need anything at all. I am content.

All that social anxiety that I had allowed to build up has vanished as well. The people here are warm and inviting, and I have opened up and stepped out of my head in a way that I didn’t think was possible anymore. I enjoy being out among the living and don’t hermit all the damn time. I’ve made friends with ease and seem to connect better with everyone I come across. And after three years of zero dating luck in Orlando, I have been on several dates and found someone I enjoy spending my time with.

I love the historic downtown and the Cape Fear river. There are great little shops full of old and funky stuff everywhere. The beach is close and the parks are lovely. If this place had mountains it would be perfect, but it is close enough that I know I can get away whenever I want.

I am embracing my new home and enjoying the exploration of my surroundings. More importantly, I am enjoying the rediscovery of myself. I forgot that I like me.