To give y'all a little background on the dynamic between me and my mother, I have to explain a little about our personalities first. We are very similar people, yet extremely different. She is a leo, I am a taurus; and while I am not one to buy into zodiac signs, there is something to it when it comes to our relationship. As a leo, she is headstrong, dominating, energetic, and straightforward. And as a taurus, I am equally stubborn, persistent, independent, and generous. Put the two of us in a room, and we can become the life of the party. But when things start to go wrong, they become disastrous.
So, to say that we got through the entire get-a-way without tears, fighting, and very few backhanded comments, is a huge success.
While we sat, waiting for our food, in a posh restaurant where my Forever 21 outfit seemed like dirt next to the amount of Prada and Chanel that accompanied the women sitting next to us, my mother and I bonded. Our conversation began with lighthearted jokes and small talk about the nice weather, but it slowly turned into something more serious. My mother made a comment that surprised us both, "You seem happy." I think she was surprised that I wasn't more homesick and that I could be doing so well living in southern California on my own. And I was surprised that she noticed the difference.
Last year, when I was living at home, I found myself constantly depressed and in dire need of change. This year, after moving to LA, I have become a much happier person. I can't exactly put my finger on it. Perhaps it's the continuous sunshine, or the fact that I am living with my best friend. Or maybe it's because I am on my own, not being financially supported by my parents. There are a million and one reasons that could explain the change in my mental state, but the bottom line is:
I am happy.
