It was just another ordinary day at work. I was mopping the floor near the food court in the mall when I accidentally collided with a man, causing his coffee to spill all over the place.

He looked at me with wide eyes, and for a moment, I braced myself for him to yell. But what followed changed my life in ways I never could’ve imagined.

I’ve lived for over 62 years now, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that life is constantly changing.

Time never stops moving. If you’re going through tough times, trust that they will eventually pass. And even if you’re in a season of joy, know that nothing lasts forever.

Over the years, I’ve experienced both the highs and the lows. Let me begin by sharing one of the brighter chapters.

When I was 28, I fell deeply in love with a man I met at a metro station. He was gentle, caring, and loved me with all his heart.

We dated for several years and shared countless adventures.

We’d go on spontaneous beach getaways on weekends, dance around in the tiny kitchen of his apartment, and stay up late into the night dreaming about our future. I truly believed we were building a meaningful life together.

But when the topic of long-term commitment finally came up, something shifted. His hands trembled, and his words faltered, like I’d asked him to climb a mountain.

“Marriage?” he repeated, staring at me like I’d proposed we relocate to another planet. “Lana, I… I’m not sure I’m ready for something like that.”

“What do you mean? Ready for what—love? A future?” I asked.

“It’s just… marriage feels so final. What if we change? What if this feeling doesn’t last?” he replied.

It became clear he wasn’t ready for that next step. He had been content with a fleeting romance, while I had always envisioned something lasting.

So, with a heavy heart, I ended things.

What hurt even more was that he didn’t ask me to reconsider. He didn’t even request more time to think things through or suggest we figure it out together.

“I think we want different things,” I told him that night, my voice cracking with each word.

He simply looked at me, eyes wide, and said, “Good luck, Lana. I hope you find what you’re looking for.”

But what luck was he referring to? By the time I walked away from him, I was 35, without a steady job or a place of my own.

That breakup hit me hard. I wasn’t emotionally prepared to step back into the world. I had spent seven years believing I was building something real, only to realize I had just been passing time.

Those were some of the darkest days of my life. I constantly questioned my decision.

I wondered if I had thrown away the only shot I had at love. I didn’t know if I would ever find someone who truly wanted to build a life together. I was starting over at 35, carrying nothing but a shattered heart and a modest savings account that was quickly running out.

But here’s what those painful months taught me:

Sometimes life has to break you completely in order to rebuild you stronger. Sometimes the worst events lead you exactly to where you’re meant to be.

At the time, I just didn’t realize it yet.