Serendipity: When God Sends You Exactly Where You Need to Be

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Lately, life has been full of little moments that feel… divinely timed. Since starting my relationship with God, prayer has become a regular part of my life. And truthfully, I’m not the same woman I was six months ago. I feel content in a way that’s hard to explain.

It’s almost as if I’m being placed in certain situations on purpose. I believe that’s God at work—nudging me, guiding me, showing me where I need to be.

A couple of weeks ago, I was invited to a Women of ALPFA event—a professional organization for Hispanic leaders. I said yes, thinking it would be your standard networking mixer. (Which, don’t get me wrong, is great. I’m all for putting yourself out there and making new connections.) But I had no idea what I was walking into.

After dinner and a few opening remarks, the keynote speaker took the stage. Her name was Janet Perez Eckles, and she instantly captivated the room. Blind since age 31, she went on to become a professional interpreter, motivational speaker, and a best-selling author. Her energy was electric. Her story moved me deeply—and in that moment, I felt this undeniable clarity: writing is my calling.

I’ve heard that whisper in the back of my mind for years. But that night? It shouted. That night felt like divine confirmation.

And it didn’t stop there.

Not long after, I attended another professional event—this one hosted by NSHMBA, where I serve as the Director of Marketing. After a networking icebreaker, a man approached me. He had been in my boyfriend’s group and started the conversation by complimenting him (which, honestly, melted my heart because I know he’s a good man). We got to talking, and I found out he was newly divorced and dipping his toes back into the dating world.

He was hesitant about online dating. I couldn’t help but chuckle a little—because, well, I’ve been in that space for years. I told him the truth: dating online isn’t something to fear. We’re all so busy and guarded these days that stepping into a digital space just helps you connect with others who are also serious about finding love.

As long as you meet safely and stay honest, online dating is no more risky than meeting someone at a bar or through friends. I told him, dating is always a risk. You’re putting your heart out there in hopes that maybe this will lead to something real. And sometimes, all it takes is a small conversation to shift someone’s perspective.

He thanked me before we parted ways. And I couldn’t help but think—if I hadn’t been there, maybe he wouldn’t have taken that step toward love.

Is that serendipity? Is it divine alignment? I think it’s both. I truly believe that when you pray with intention, God listens. He may not answer in flashing lights or loud voices—but He sends people, moments, nudges, signs. You just have to slow down enough to see them.

Growth: Becoming Who I Was Meant to Be

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I’ve been struggling with what to write about lately. My blog has always revolved around my wild (and often hilarious) dating adventures, but now that I’m in a relationship—a really fulfilling one—the dating content just doesn’t resonate the same. Still, my passion for writing hasn’t gone anywhere. So I’ve asked myself: what now?

In the past few months, I’ve been going through a transformation—one that feels so overdue and so powerful. I used to think I was happy, and maybe I was, but now... now I feel fulfilled. There’s a difference. It’s not that I had it all wrong before—I always believed in treating people with respect and trying to stay positive. But I didn’t realize how much I was still holding on to, how much clouded my vision.

The shift came from a combination of things: discovering a church that speaks to me, reading books like The Secret and The Power of Now, and being in a supportive, emotionally safe relationship. All of it has helped me see how powerful it is to live life without anger and resentment weighing you down.

Here’s what I’ve learned: you’re only responsible for you. You can’t control other people’s actions, only your reactions. When you stop trying to control the narrative and just focus on being the best version of yourself, everything starts to shift. That doesn’t mean life becomes perfect—but it becomes clearer. Simpler. More intentional.

People ask me why I’m so patient, and the truth is... it’s because I’ve learned that unnecessary conflict is just that—unnecessary. If something’s out of your control, you can either accept it or resolve it. That’s it.

I’ve been through a lot in my early 20s. There was a time when I could have gone down a dark, destructive path—become that walking cliché of a girl with “daddy issues.” But I made a decision. I decided that my pain wouldn’t define me.

Forgiveness—something I wrote about recently—has been the hardest but most freeing part of that journey. How do you forgive someone who deeply hurt you? Because you must. Because their actions don’t define you. Your response does.

You’re not responsible for their choices. You don’t have to agree with what they did. But you do have to choose whether or not you’ll carry that pain forever. Forgiveness doesn’t mean what they did was okay. It just means you’re no longer letting it control you.

I believe every person I met while searching for love peeled back a layer of me. They showed me glimpses of the woman I could become—but I always knew deep down I was destined for more. And now, I’m finally stepping into that.

So yes, I’ll still be writing. Maybe not about dating disasters. But about growth. About healing. About what happens when you decide to love yourself more than your past.

Let’s see where this takes me...

The Power of Forgiveness: Releasing the Past to Embrace Peace

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Over the last few months, I’ve been on a journey to rediscover who I am—and to finally let go of everything that’s held me back. I know I’ve touched on this before, but recently, it feels like I’ve come face-to-face with a wall I didn’t know I’d built. A wall made of unspoken pain, shame, and the lingering shadows of my past.

In my effort to become the best version of myself—not just for me, but also for my new relationship—I’ve been pushed to confront parts of myself I thought were long buried. For the longest time, I kept one specific year of my life very private. I didn’t want it to define me. I didn’t want to seem like a burden.

But I’ve come to realize this: the people who truly care about you don’t see you as broken or damaged. They see you as you. Strong. Whole. Beautiful. And worthy of love.

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to dig deep into my hidden pain. It wasn’t easy. But something extraordinary happened—I felt a shift. A spiritual release. I’m not one to preach, but I need to say this: there is power in what Jesus did for us. By taking on our pain, He gave us a path to freedom from shame. We don’t have to carry the sins of others or the lies they told us about ourselves.

Forgiveness—real, raw forgiveness—is powerful. For a long time, I thought I was strong because I had buried the pain and numbed myself to it. But I now understand: true strength is in facing the pain, feeling it, and letting it go. It’s saying, “I see what happened. I acknowledge it. And I forgive you—not for you, but for me.”

That kind of strength can’t be faked. And though I still have some forgiving to do, I feel lighter. More whole. For the first time in a long time, I feel like I’m really starting to live.

All at Once: When Old Lovers Come Crawling Back Around Valentine's Day

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Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching, and I’ve noticed something strange—when you’re finally happy, people from your past seem to come crawling out of the woodwork. I don’t know if it’s because they sense I’m in a relationship or if something about this time of year makes them nostalgic. Maybe they got hit with a Cupid arrow of regret. Who knows?

Let me be clear: I have zero intention of straying. I am utterly and completely in love. But over the last two days, I’ve received messages from the most random people—ghosts of relationships past, if you will.

Apparently, this is a thing. Like the universe decides to test you when you're finally in a good place. It's almost laughable. Am I supposed to fumble the bag for someone who once ghosted me? I’d need a bigger temptation—say, I don’t know… Vin Diesel?

Here’s the truth: I know these people from the past have nothing to offer me but confusion, frustration, and maybe a regret spiral or two. There’s a reason things didn’t work out. I’ve done the trial and error, lived through the drama, and journaled the heartbreak. I know better now.

So here’s a gentle reminder (to myself and maybe to you, too): Stick with what brings you peace. Old habits—and old flames—die hard. But they don’t deserve to burn down the good thing you’ve got going.

Positive thinking, intention, and a clear mind have brought me to this better version of myself. I’m not about to let someone else's indecision or nostalgia pull me back into a storm I’ve already survived.

What You Think About Is What You Bring About

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Over the past few months, I’ve been fully embracing the power of positive thinking and the Law of Attraction, especially as described in The Secret. I’ve also been diving into other books with similar themes, and let me just say—it’s been a journey. A few months ago, I went through a rough patch emotionally, and I never want to feel that way again.

Since then, I’ve been practicing letting go of negative thoughts and becoming more intentional with my energy. I never realized how much negativity ran through my mind on autopilot—until I started correcting myself. Now, even when I’m texting someone, I catch myself mid-sentence and rewrite it to avoid putting out negative energy. It’s amazing how much more aware I’ve become.

I’m far from perfect, but I truly believe that positivity attracts positive outcomes. I’m working toward becoming the version of myself that I know I’m meant to be. Deep down, I’ve always felt like I’m destined for more than where I am right now—and I think that inner pull is what keeps me reaching, evolving, and writing. Writing has always been my way of releasing those swirling thoughts and making space for clarity.

Lately, I’ve also been reflecting on how much of what’s around me now—the friends I love, the opportunities I’ve created, the social circle I value—are things I once hoped for. And somehow, here they are. That’s not luck. That’s intention. That’s alignment.

I recently told someone, “Everything in front of me is a reflection of the thoughts I’ve nurtured.” And I believe that wholeheartedly. I wanted connection. I wanted growth. I wanted purpose. And even though I’m still a work in progress, I can already see the fruits of those intentions beginning to bloom.

So yes, it’s true: what you think about is what you bring about. Choose those thoughts wisely. They’re the seeds of your future.

The A.D.D. of Dating in the Age of Technology

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Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about how technology has completely changed the dating game. I mean, only ten years ago, we were counting how many text messages we sent and waiting until after 9 PM to make free phone calls. Facebook wasn’t a thing yet, and most of us were still talking on cordless phones. I had one with the longest extension cord known to man, just so I could stay up talking into the late hours without waking anyone up. That feels like a lifetime ago.

Now? Everything is instant. Texting is unlimited. Everyone has a phone on them 24/7—and no one even talks on it. We text. We DM. We snap. Communication is literally at our fingertips. So how does this shift change how we date?

Back then, the thrill was in the waiting. A girl would run home hoping the guy she liked had left her a message. Now, we carry that anticipation in our pocket... and it’s exhausting. The accessibility has created a new kind of pressure. If we don’t get a reply in 30 minutes, we start to spiral. “Did I say something wrong?” “Is he ghosting me?” “Should I text again?” And with all that noise, the magic of mystery is lost.

We’ve become so addicted to instant gratification—if we don’t know something, we Google it. If we want to connect, we text. If we want to share, we post. But here’s the problem: dating now moves at the speed of a data plan. That once-simmering anticipation? It’s gone. Relationships often burn fast and fizzle just as quickly.

I’ve noticed this pattern in my own dating life. That early stage where you’re getting to know someone? It’s now filled with daily, almost non-stop texting. And let’s be real—sometimes, it’s just too much too fast. There’s no build-up. No time to wonder. Just constant interaction that can blur real feelings with digital noise.

Ladies (and yes, I’m talking to myself here too): if you get annoyed when a guy keeps asking, “Are you okay? Why haven’t you responded?”—flip the mirror. We can be just as guilty. Smothering someone with attention doesn’t make them fall faster. It usually has the opposite effect.

The truth? Less is more. Let someone miss you. Let them think. Let them feel. Don’t confuse texting chemistry with actual connection. Real emotion takes time, space, and silence to grow. I once read that “your emotions are your true thoughts—don’t let your head get in the way.”

So give it a beat. Let it breathe. If it’s meant to be, it won’t need a push notification to remind them of you.

Is there such thing as "The One"?

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Over the last few weeks, I’ve found myself pondering the idea of “The One.” Does this person actually exist—or is it a concept planted in our minds by romantic comedies and Disney movies? Is it even plausible to believe that out of 3 to 5 billion people in the world, one person is perfectly made for you?

After asking around—friends, coworkers, even people in their early twenties—I’ve come to believe that maybe “The One” isn’t a predestined soulmate but someone who enters your life at the right time, in the right place, and fits who you are in that moment. I’ve always believed that everything happens for a reason, and maybe love is no different.

Maybe this person isn’t perfect. But they’re perfect for you. At least for the version of you that exists when your paths cross.

And let’s be real—after the butterflies fade and reality sets in, that’s when the real relationship begins. Communication becomes the glue. I read recently that if you truly want to build a lasting relationship, you need to be able to talk about anything. I think this is where most relationships break down—people hold back. There’s a fear of exposing a darker part of ourselves or rocking the boat, but those hidden corners turn into walls.

I’ve made a real effort to be open about my feelings, even if it’s uncomfortable. Because let’s face it—your partner is not a mind reader. Especially if that partner is a man. (Ladies, I know it’s hard, but it’s true.) Men are generally straightforward: if they want something, they go for it. If they don’t, they won’t. There’s no secret code. We’re the ones reading between invisible lines.

Actions. Speak. Louder. Than. Words.

So, back to my original question—do I believe in “The One”?
Maybe not in the Hollywood sense. But I do believe in the right person at the right time. There are at least three people I’ve dated who, at different times in my life, I truly believed I could settle down with. But it just didn’t align.

I’m still a hopeless romantic, though. I believe that when the time is right, someone will walk into my life—and the chemistry, timing, and communication will all click into place.

The Millenia Man: Can He Handle a Woman Who Has It All?

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Last night, a good friend of mine sent me an article from Cosmo titled “The Only Kind of Man Worth Marrying.” It dove into the idea of the “50/50” man—a guy who genuinely supports the corporate woman and sees her success as a win for the team, not a threat.

Growing up, I struggled with the idea of “having it all.” Could I really have a career and a family and my sanity? I mean, I was raised in a slightly old-school Puerto Rican household where women were expected to handle all things domestic. I still remember my grandmother telling me I’d never find a husband if I didn’t know how to iron. (Plot twist: I still don’t iron, and I’m doing just fine, thanks.)

But this article said something that hit me: “A woman can have it all if she doesn’t have to do it all.” Blasphemy? Maybe to abuela. But to me? Pure gold.

Apparently, the modern “Millenia Man” (let’s call him MM) is all about challenging outdated gender norms. He doesn’t mind scrubbing dishes, sharing kid duty, or supporting your dream to be VP of the company—or launch your own. He’s evolved past the "bring me a plate, woman" mentality, and honestly, it’s about time.

The shift comes from how Millennials were raised. Many of our parents struggled with blurred gender roles as women started working more and men didn’t quite know what to do with that shift. But today, more men are stepping up and saying, “Let’s do this together.”

And I’m here for it.

I’ve always said I want a partnership, not a dictatorship. A relationship should be 50/50—whether it’s splitting bills or folding laundry. Turns out, my expectations weren’t unrealistic. I was just waiting for society to catch up.

That said, beware of the fake woke man. He talks a big game about being progressive, but throws a tantrum if you say you’re working late or don’t feel like cooking dinner. Watch the reactions, not just the words.

Here’s my advice:
If the person you’re with makes you a better version of yourself, keep him.
If he drains you or makes you shrink, toss him like last season’s skinny jeans.

You’re strong. You’re beautiful. You deserve someone who claps when you win and grabs a mop when the kitchen’s messy.

What’s Your Last Name Again? Yeah... That Matters.

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You really don’t know a person until you know, ummm… their last name?

Recently, a good friend of mine decided to dive into the online dating world after a pretty traumatizing breakup. I gently warned her that she might not be ready for dating just yet, so I suggested she try a free dating site—just to get her feet wet. Little did I know, she was about to get a crash course in dating red flags.

One day, she showed me a picture of a guy she had just started talking to. According to her, he was the whole package—into sports, had a son, sexy voice, the works. I was skeptical from the beginning. Something about the whole thing felt... off. Especially when he asked her to meet him at his job—a busy restaurant in Winter Park.

That Saturday, I tagged along. I figured, if nothing else, I’d get to scope out this guy and maybe score a few freebies. We sat at the bar and she nervously texted him that she was there. It was honestly adorable—she looked like a giddy schoolgirl. And when he finally walked by, she lit up. “He looks so much better in person!” she whispered.

He passed by a few more times, and eventually invited us to join him at a bar later. A friend of mine joined too—because let’s be honest, I wasn’t trying to third wheel all night. We didn’t exactly get the VIP hookup at the restaurant, but hey, there was a discount. (Side note: If a guy invites you somewhere, he should at least offer to pay. Just sayin’.)

After that night, the two of them kept talking. They made plans for lunch the following week, then a Saturday night out. At some point, she casually asked him, “Hey, I don’t even know your last name.” He paused for a second, then replied, “Fernandez.”

Cool. All good, right?

Fast forward to Saturday night—we were downtown with some of my old college friends. She peeled off to meet up with her “Fernandez” for drinks. As they ordered, the bartender asked for a name to put the tab under. His response? “Lopez.”

LOPEZ???

Yeah. Huge red flag. Naturally, we did what any self-respecting woman in 2020-something would do—we Googled him. And girl, the mugshot came up like a horror story. Along with multiple domestic violence charges.

Once he realized she heard him drop the wrong last name, he conveniently disappeared. Poof. Gone.

All I can say is—some men in the dating world are just not datable. Check the receipts, ladies. That last name might tell you everything you need to know.