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[ciaoveneca]

2021 // This was one of the most painful and joyful years of my life thus far. I am thankful for all the lovely beings who supported me through this wild year and reminded me how much there is to celebrate. ✨ May you be well, may you be peaceful, and may you know how deeply important you are. (at Chicago, Illinois) https://www.instagram.com/p/CYKrrheOzTlaXfmLDuqqwLa9YmCC8R3dUDU15k0/?utm_medium=tumblr

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Our engagement is complete! 🥰 I love how expansive of a life we’ve created together and I am so thankful that we get to do things on our own terms. Queer love is such a beautiful gift. I love you so much, Alex !💕 (at Graceland Cemetery & Arboretum) https://www.instagram.com/p/CV_AJTavxtJsAIXdeNU5Vs79Qsok_f9F1Exm4U0/?utm_medium=tumblr

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Exciting news! We’re en-gayged! 💍 (stay tuned for part 2 😉) (at Wicker Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/CRpt9rKMl36OLAaSaLyQOyU-_ViiW7nz79-HE80/?utm_medium=tumblr

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me every minute of every day:

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I like it, I like it, I like it like that (at Wheeling, Illinois) https://www.instagram.com/p/CO7IRq3MjLjPmQ6EoKv56aysTudBWwR9GYG3ho0/?igshid=3vx3xmvptzc0

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Oh, 2020.

“The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.”

This year I realized life doesn’t have to look a certain way. Neither does family, or work, or romantic relationships, or pronouns, or even bed times. To be human requires a fundamental flexibility to adapt and attune with each new breath.

This has been a year of contraction and expansion. Every time I was forced to close, it opened up something powerful within me. I feel like a diver exploring an underwater world. Recognizing that it was here all a long — it just took a minute to process the depth.

This year has opened me in unexpected and transformative ways. In trying to survive, I have pivoted to new ways of connecting, and relating, and sustaining. There has been so much uncertainty this year, that it feels reassuring to witness what we are capable of rising to meet. It feels supportive to know we can take strides into the unknown.

There’s no rules anymore. There’s only what sits right with your soul. ✨

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“If you promise to stay alive just a little bit longer I promise that we are going to make this world a place worth living in by any means necessary. I ain’t giving up. I swear.” 

Spotted in Clackamas, Oregon

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“When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy.” // This has been a chaotic, bizarre, and significant season of my life...and I’m grateful to be here. ✨ https://www.instagram.com/p/CE27OFjDRULXQqJyYAJ_eMCzbFji6TLBTuovaM0/?igshid=18fpou8v9mthv

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5 Years Ago // Chicago 5 years ago I moved to Chicago with a plan. I took a big series of risks in the hopes of following my dreams and creating a better life for myself. I planned ahead the best that I could and was greeted at the airport with as ready-made of a life as anyone could want. But I wish I could have stopped my younger self and told them something. I would have told them that Carl Sandburg was right, that this city is all about “building, breaking, and rebuilding.” And that I was a mess, flying into a mess. “Under the terrible burden of destiny, [...] laughing the stormy, husky, brawling laughter of youth.” https://www.instagram.com/p/CDk1ie9DTr36vpBzdfkeFIaFXjfybOsui-KQpM0/?igshid=16ho6tqdx0gh5

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Wow! For a socially distant birthday, there was no shortage of adventures! 🚙 I went on a solo road trip to the Indiana Dunes (and it was my first time actually driving in the midwest) 🌾 and rounded out the evening with some socially distant dinner and drinks with friends.🍻 Thankful for all the support, well wishes, and connection yesterday. ✨ 29 sure started off with a bang! 🗡 (at Indiana Dunes National Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/CB6268tDxeAkUtfyOYZDx5qbm-WTnaQIW5cfG00/?igshid=1bli40aakn1so

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Happy 3 year anniversary, love! I don’t think we could have anticipated all that was thrown our way over this past year. Though these have been challenging times, I’m endlessly thankful for your presence in my life. There’s no one I’d rather face these days with than you. I love you, my stinky. 😘 (at Chicago, Illinois) https://www.instagram.com/p/CBcFG_3j5LPQSlJrmBbHMuoBa54uf0qictqXSE0/?igshid=1kle5b55fbwdq

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So thankful to be a part of LOCUS III at @themartinchicago! Many thanks to @wxlamora for curating an amazing interdisciplinary show and adapting it to a digital format. Originally this show was supposed to open a few weeks ago in The Martin’s gallery space, but due to Covid-19, it’s been released online. Grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with @thatsquitesarah and have our art showcased together. ✨ Check out the full show on The Martin’s website! www.themartinchicago.com/locus-iii (at The Martin) https://www.instagram.com/p/B-nsrxgDjpme2gzAPdAIKsqTW_8RF7XrME6EuE0/?igshid=1hwl7qmvfe1tq

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Dalgona Coffee has brought us a lot of joy this morning! ☕️ If you want a delicious quarantine treat, it’s super easy to make. Combine instant coffee + sugar + water and blend. Lay it on top of some milk and you’re all set! Enjoy 😋 (at Chicago, Illinois) https://www.instagram.com/p/B-VHfxhDSPqaTJlPjoWg4vEoZsFET5iYo3rNvE0/?igshid=8ehzo05skhbg

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Crocuses always remind me of spring and the resilient passage of time. Growing up, my childhood home had a cluster of crocuses that grew annually on the edge of our lawn in a patch of bark dust. When I was a teenager and young adult, my life became more chaotic at that house. There was a persistent lack of order and coherence for me during that time. Yet even through this, those crocuses still came up each and every year. For me, crocuses are a sign of resilience. ✨ Finding these crocuses on a walk today unexpectedly brought tears to my eyes. They reminded me that despite these difficult days, we will keep growing. And despite the unknown, we will keep blooming. (at Bill Jarvis Migratory Bird Sanctuary) https://www.instagram.com/p/B-GLrBMjY38O1vgoxWplXg-stidwOZQfaJouj40/?igshid=ygg3hw2q48p6

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These Days Matter // (Don’t) Panic (at Chicago, Illinois) https://www.instagram.com/p/B90J1RRAy479Q5sM6wBF-JFoqF5ij-7t0xYRgA0/?igshid=4xd4rzk2bsqp

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New year, new art (📸: @jesssssssszaehringer) (at Chicago Truborn) https://www.instagram.com/p/B7NH1CygDS0jnUFCFTYGzmUBmYboqDVM9TQG-M0/?igshid=1r5k4qfb1l55x