For what it’s worth, I’d say I’ve lived a fairly interesting life thus far. Much of it, however, has been filled with dark moments and painful lessons, which in turn came with expedited—albeit often unwelcome—growth. I spent so much of my first 24 years craving levity and memorable antics, oftentimes living vicariously through sitcoms to get me through the day.

It feels cliché to say, but it just so happened that when I turned 25, it started to look like those little daydreams were finally becoming reality. It was a random Sunday in May when I first noticed a detachment from what I now call Chapter One of my life. I no longer felt vulnerable to old patterns, people, and situations that held me back from so much of the good I knew life had to offer. Things seemed to be clicking into place—and I was ready for it.

So with that, as I enter into this new phase of my life, I’d like to raise a metaphorical (or literal) glass and start by saying—here’s to Chapter Two.