My love story

Last year, I was visiting Charleston and doing what I always do—looking up things to do nearby. I came across a place on TikTok called Cypress Gardens, and once I realized it was where one of the most iconic love stories—The Notebook—was filmed, I knew I had to go.

I remember thinking how surreal it would feel to experience it in real life. But instead of just visiting, I wanted to make it something more. So I decided to find a photographer in Charleston and reached out to a girl I found online, asking if she’d be available for a photoshoot. When she said yes, I suddenly had 48 hours to pull everything together—an outfit, props, hair, all the girly details. And somehow, it all came together perfectly.

There I was, out on the swamp, surrounded by water and alligators, feeling the most beautiful I’ve ever felt—and it hit me.

I am living in my own love story.

Not the kind you wait around for. Not the kind that depends on someone else. But the kind you create for yourself.

In that moment, I realized the person I’m most deeply in love with… is me. And I don’t mean that in a cocky, overly confident way. I mean I genuinely love the woman I’ve become. I love the life I’m building, I love how I show up for myself everyday, and, while yes, I do miss having a romantic relationship at times, the relationship I’ve built with myself has filled me in ways I didn’t even know were possible.

There’s something so powerful about creating your own magic. Like—what do you mean I just planned a photoshoot in a swamp… at the exact place one of my favorite love stories was filmed?

And the best part! This was also the beginning of something new for me. I had just started dipping my toes into vlogging, and this ended up being the very first vlog I ever made. Watching it back, I realized how much I loved capturing moments like this—turning my life into something I can relive, something I can share.

Which is exactly what I am doing now :)

thanks for listening

xoxo

Alora