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"There is nothing more certain and unchanging than uncertainty and change."

Around 18 months ago, I made a huge decision in my life: I chose to change it permanently and painfully by ending my marriage. The effects of that decision were all at once devastating and liberating. It was the right decision for me, but nevertheless heartbreaking. I finally had the freedom I had craved, to be who I wanted to be - to find out who that person was, alone, and yet I was consumed with guilt at the pain I had caused my spouse. The main judgment I felt from him at the time was that I was acting selfishly, which was impossible to argue with given the circumstances. Ultimately, however, I didn't feel selfish. Rather, I was choosing to take control of my life for my own spiritual well-being, finally listening to that inner voice of reason that had been bugging me on-and-off for the past several years, manifesting as doubt and depression each time I ignored its repeated claims. 

Six months later, I was on a plane to South-East Asia, to start a new life on a small Indonesian island called Batam. I had no idea what I was letting myself in for, and that's just the way I wanted it to be. I met new people, started a new job, and acclimatised to the tropical weather. I found the "me" I was looking for: someone content with just living, taking life as it came, alone...

Just three weeks after I arrived in Batam, I went on a date. It was...interesting! A week later, during our second date, I used those infamous four words "let's just be friends". I realised that I was not ready for any kind of relationship, and I asked my date to please respect my circumstances and stay away. Thankfully, he did just that. Two months later however, we found ourselves at the same social gathering, where we spent our time avoiding eye contact as best we could. A third, very lovely, date followed and the rest, as they say, is history.

So, now it's time for the update you didn't know you were waiting for... I'm engaged! We will be married on July 7th here in Batam, in a traditional Christian ceremony followed by a party at a Balinese style restaurant. We are very excited about starting this journey together, and blessed to have the support of our families, near and far. 

"There is nothing more certain and unchanging than uncertainty and change" ~ John F. Kennedy

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