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As the years rolled on, I found myself in a rhythm I’d never known before. The stress of building a company, of navigating the ups and downs of business, had become second nature. But what I didn’t expect was how much I had changed—how much I had grown beyond the person I once was.
I would never forget the late-night conversations we had when we were younger, talking about our futures, our dreams, and how we’d get out of this town. Now, it seemed like both of us had done exactly that—maybe not in the way we’d expected, but we had done it.
Damian and Sophia invited me over for dinner one evening, and we sat in their cozy, modern home in the Heights, laughing and eating takeout pizza. As the conversation turned to their future child, I felt something shift inside me. I wasn’t sure why, but something about it made me realize how much I wanted that too—a life where I wasn’t just building a company, but a family.
I had avoided that feeling for so long, not wanting to acknowledge the void I had carried for years. But in that moment, as Damian joked about how their baby was going to be smarter than both of them combined, I felt it—an overwhelming desire to create something that wasn’t just about me.
It wasn’t long after that night that I started thinking seriously about what my future could look like beyond the office. I had always been focused on building my company, on proving my worth to the people who had doubted me. But there was more to life than success in business. I realized I needed more than just work to feel fulfilled.
I took a step back, re-evaluated my goals, and decided to make a big change. I started traveling more—visiting new cities, meeting new people, experiencing life beyond the confines of my work schedule. It wasn’t an easy decision, but it was one I knew I had to make.
That’s when I met her.
Her name was Isabelle, and she was unlike anyone I had ever met. She was smart, independent, and effortlessly beautiful in a way that didn’t require attention. We met at a work conference in Austin, where she was presenting a project on sustainable urban development. I remember being captivated by the way she spoke about her work, her passion for making the world a better place, and how much she cared about the communities she served.
We started talking after the panel, and before long, I found myself drawn to her in a way I hadn’t felt in years. It wasn’t just about attraction—it was the way she made me feel like I was seen, understood, and valued.
