1. Everything was "Perfect"

Before we dive into the tapestry of my experiences, let me paint a picture of how life used to be. I lived in a "normal" family dynamic—comprised of my dad, mom, older sister, and myself. As fate would have it, our neighborhood was a haven of childhood friendships. Four girls, all the same age as me, Anna, Kyleigh, Cara, and Bridget, sharing our journeys from the very beginning. These incredible individuals became my lifelong companions, and I'm forever grateful for the bonds we have. We grew up together, playing and spending every moment of weekends and afternoons after school with one another. The neighborhood setup was nothing short of perfection. Having friends just a close walk away meant that my days were never boring and were always filled with laughter and shared memories. My backyard also had a pool, which was the cherry on top of the neighborhood setup. Every summer day was a whirlwind of games and laughter as my neighborhood friends gathered to swim and play. The pieces of my life seemed to align seamlessly—I had everything a little girl could ever want.

In my neighborhood set up of friends, the closest in distance to me, Kyleigh, is only three homes away. That is it, just two houses in between ours. This made it so easy to have playdates everyday, given we are a fifteen second walk away from each other. Because of this Kyleigh's house, then and now, held the esteemed title of the ultimate hangout spot. Like a second home, I found myself walking over every single day. In no time, I gained a relationship with each member of her family including her father, mother, and little sister. Our bond grew so tight that I became an honorary member of their family. Engaging in activities together became the norm, whether it was sharing family dinners or embarking on outings to places like the mall. Mini trips, too, became an integral part of our shared experiences. The comfort and joy I felt at Kyleigh's house made it seem like at times I there more often than in my own. The mere fifteen-second walk made it too convenient to resist. With this set up of friendships and activities however, I unknowingly lost what was most important in life, having a close connection with my family.