The Challenge Ahead

Distance can indeed foster deeper affection in certain individuals. However, for others, it presents a challenge that a relationship must overcome in order to determine its viability.

We decided to give it a try; I would remain in the community I built, and she would go off to work on her career. I started a little e-commerce business with my father selling toys and collectibles to help build that dream of a hobby store one day. I would save the profits from that to help with any potential travel.

The plan was to visit often; Central Florida wasn't too far away, after all. But working long hours, time begins to slip away, and before you know it, weeks have passed. The distance was beginning to weigh down on us. And a choice would have to be made.

I was torn, to say the least. I was truly myself where I was, but could I rebuild this one day somewhere else? or do I sever a part of me and hope that I could find that sense of joy again? But I don't walk, I run.

Within two weeks, I had located a new job in Central Florida and applied for an apartment. I wished my friends and family goodbye and began to pack my things. Preparing for my departure felt alien to me, as if I was abandoning an entire community. It's not something I do; I am fiercely loyal, to the point of it being a detriment. I knew the arcade would strive long after I was gone, but would I survive if I didn't try? Dramatic, I know.

The decision was so abrupt. I had to rapidly sell some collectibles just to afford some furniture. But before I knew it, I was in a quiet one-bedroom apartment in Central Florida. Over the next few weeks, I would learn the life of a hotelier, refining my customer service skills and adapting to a new city. Everything seemed to be going great; a friend even followed me up and uprooted themselves as well. It felt like a little oasis that I was nurturing.

After months of working hard, I got a small promotion and I really felt myself growing once again as an individual. And then the gnawing returned, that persistent thought that I could once again build something. So I dusted off my computer, and began graphic designing again and built a company I could use to work from home for some extra spending cash.

With this extra cash, I jumped back into the hobby of tabletop gaming. Rogue Trader was a lot of fun; why not try the world's best roleplaying game? So I picked up the starter set to 4th edition Dungeons & Dragons.