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i

’d ever known, everything I ever was, was all entwined with Ryan. He was a huge part of

s, soaking up new cultures, and having reckless sex with a young, hot Brazilian—but I knew that was completely unrealis

k, walks that usually ended with me curled up

emory of my failed marriage: A young couple playing with their children in the park, a flower stand vendor

htened, but they only made me more depressed. I tried hanging out with my other friends, thinki

wling, I decided to attack my heartach

eds. I recorded each and every episode and watched them over and over. I even imitated the twang in his voice as he said, “Whyyyy would

l church. It was kind of like Alcoholics Anonymous, but shockingly more depressing. None of the women

visor asked me not to come back. She said she’d noticed that every time I was asked to give a sug

and the seriousness in my eyes prevent

oo of my “freedom date” (the date of my divorce) on my foot, pierced my ears, and actually accepted the shop’s complimentary belly button piercing. 4) Blasted female power anthems whenever I was in my car, in my work office, or at ho

n Associates continued to suffer miserably: Our newest client’s product was named “Infidelity”

day crying in a public restroom

e. I had to s

what little settlement money I received from my divorce and made the cross co

completed several home improvement projects as my therapy, as a way to keep my mind busy: I stripped all the carpeting and

fter realizing that my options were limited in the recession, I reluctantly took a mid-lev

y a bad thing, it was a new thing and I needed

ery morning and forced myself to run—half a mile at first

e a month, something I’d always dreamed of doing but never found the time to do. I even shopped for a whole new wardrobe—tr

th a mild-mannered yet upbeat personality, someone I felt like I could instantly trust—like I cou

she insisted that I start going to therapy. Out of respect for our budding friendship, she

mixers, and to actually attempt dating again. Yet, after four years

middle aged divorcée, and doubted that any man would