*Lauren*

The porch swing I had installed creaked gently under my weight as I flipped through the pages of a worn-out romance novel, the afternoon sun casting random shadows across the words. The scent of blooming flowers from the garden below me mixed with the fresh salty air, wrapping around me.

This felt like a sanctuary—far removed from the chaos of New York City and the relentless pace of life there. I could really see myself building a life here. It was just so calm and ...