She let herself go

After two years of dating, talking about marriage,hoping for kids, and planning a life together, Lindsey was finally going to meet her boyfriend’s family. Before leaving for the trip, her boyfriend said ,”We can go ring shopping if you want to.” In Lindsey’s mind, wedding bells were ringing, and she was both nervous and excited to meet his family. 

There was nothing to worry about! Lindsey hit it off instantly with her boyfriend’s mother and grandmother.They loved that she was an artist because they were a family of artists! Eventually, even the grandfather warmed up to Lindsey and welcomed her with open arms. The day before Lindsey left the grandpa asked, "So do you think you will come and visit us again? We like you!" Lindsey replied,"I would like to be apart of your family. I'm just waiting for your grandson to ask me." All in the room smiled.

But Lindsey didn’t receive the much anticipated engagement ring. Instead she received a broken heart.

Her boyfriend just pulled away. He said nothing other than,”I’m having second thoughts about marriage. I just like being alone.” Lindsey tried to call, tried to understand how, what her boyfriend was going through. He never answered. He gave her eleven words. Eleven words tore Lindsey’s world apart. Eleven words shattered her dreams for a husband, a chance to start a family... 

She experienced the worst depression of her life, and she wanted to shut herself off from the world. She replayed the tape of their relationship in her mind. She doubted herself. She started to loose her confidence and her self esteem took a hard hit.

But instead of continuing to wallow in her loss, she let herself go.

Lindsey had an epiphany listing to a Cher song. Cher sang, "Take your heart back off the shelf. Learn to walk away without regret." The lyrics struck a chord with Lindsey. The ending of her relationship was a new beginning in disguise. The end of that relationship was her second chance to find new life. She let herself go and experience things she always wanted to do. She put herself out there and tried new things. 

She took dances lessons her boyfriend never wanted to try. The dance instructor flirted with her, and his positive attitude was contagious.

She signed up for a ceramics class because she enjoyed ceramics in high school.She made mermaid ornaments for her family. She experimented with new glazes. If a project broke, she just reused the clay and tried again!

She felt so sexy as she posed for a boudoir photo shoot. She called it her "Cinderella" evening as she had her hair cut and her nails painted. She was nervous at first when she approached her female photographer in her see through blouse and her thigh high pirate boots. She was terrified of how she would look in lingerie because over the years many had told her she was too fat. It was an opportunity to face a life long fear. At one point, Lindsey came out in a red teddy with a plunging neck line. She could feel the tears start to build up. "I bought this one for my boyfriend for Valentine's Day, but he broke up with me before I wore it." The photographer calmly stated, "That was his loss. He missed out on all that you have to offer. Look at how beautiful you are!" In the two years that she had dated, her boyfriend never complimented her. Lindsey faced the mirror. She smiled at the reflection shining back at her. She let go of her fears, doubts, and insecurities.When she looked in the mirror, she felt beautiful, sexy and confident. She saw herself for the first time!

That quiet confidence she found in her photo shoot carried over to other aspects of her life. She attended a speed dating event. While the other women were apprehensive about meeting the male candidates, Lindsey was excited. She had a bubbly, fun personality the guys were drawn too. All of the male participants wanted her number. She went on dates.

She planned a trip to Warren Brothers Studio tour,which was new because this was her first solo flight to the bustling, busy LAX airport. When she arrived at Warren Brothers Studio, she marveled at sets and costumes from movies she loved. That trip inspired her to write a script she always wanted to.She wrote about a woman who emerged from a toxic relationship, found her freedom and then helped her people fight for their freedom. Lindsey even entered her script in a national screenwriting contest. She was thrilled to receive such positive reviews. One critic wrote, "The writer shows a clear talent for their craft, voice, and imagery. There are compelling cinematic details through out the script." Lindsey found her voice and realized she had stories to tell.

She learned to find joy in the simple things. She learned that time with her family was precious.She called her mom and sister and cherished their girls’ night out, sharing dinner and going shopping. She soaked up the moments when they would laugh and talk for hours. She had a loving support system she needed!

Lindsey did one other thing she always wanted to do.She excitedly purchased tickets to see Cher in concert, a once in a lifetime experience. She and her sister were enchanted by Cher's epic costume changes, and they sang every song with her.

Finally, Lindsey decided to pursue her dreams of being an illustrator and pursued an online degree. As a child, Lindsey would flip through the illustrated works of amazing artists and just marvel at their talents. She began painting and drawing again, something she had put on the back burner when her boyfriend entered her life. It felt great to have paint brush in hand again. Lindsey was inspired. She looked into an online program with RMCAD (Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design). She wanted to tell stories of girls and women who triumphantly overcame trials, create characters who took charge of their own fate, who lived their own destiny.

Lindsey learned there is life after loss. Lindsey learned to let go of the hurt and embrace the good. She learned there is more than one dream she carried in her heart. She learned that when Love’s door gets slammed in your face, it is a second chance to rediscover yourself, explore other passions and interests.