It’s hard to believe it’s been five years since I sat here, in the study-esque seating area of Disneyland’s Market House, and contemplated the end of my relationship with Aimee.
I don’t invoke her name lightly, and if you see this, please know I don’t harbor any ill will toward you. In these five years, she and I broke up, tried again, and broke up again, this time for good. When I sat here at this table for two and wrote five years ago, I worried that my relationship with Disneyland and Disney in general would change. And it has, though entirely for the better.
What I wasn’t prepared to admit at the time is that my relationship with this place is mine, and it couldn’t be taken away or diminished by anyone else. I had and continue to have the best support system anyone could ask for, and I feel like it’s really allowed me to thrive and come into my own emotionally. I don’t write nearly as much these, but creating other content has not only satisfied my creative urges but has allowed me to make things I find a lot of value in that others find value in, too.
I haven’t always believed in myself. That fact certainly led me to make some decisions that ended up being harmful, and it will always be something I work on, but about a year ago, I found myself happy. I was happy with who I was and what I stood for, and I truly felt like I was finally in a place to love another as they deserved to be loved. And then, PappaPaws did an out-of-the-ordinary evening stream, and I met Jen.
To say that she’s my perfect match is to gloss over the finest details of why we’re so suited for each other. I won’t bore you with the details; all you need to know is we make each other happy and push each other to be better every day.
Five years ago, I couldn’t picture being here. Happy, and sharing the happiness I get from this magical place with others. I don’t really have any advice (I got here thanks in large part to luck) except to keep working on yourself. Figure out what makes you happy and work toward it. Be in a position to jump on the opportunities life presents you. You never know when you’re going to meet the love of your life in a Fall Guys open lobby.
Good night from the Market House. Here’s to many more nights spent here in happiness.
Christopher M. Yee 