Disclaimer: I am not a financial advisor. None of this is financial advice. I encourage you to do your own research.

It’s still dark in our hotel room with the curtains closed. Victor is usually up before me, at the gym or reading an article in another language. But this morning I’m up even earlier than him. I put on my hotel robe, quietly make a coffee, tip toe outside to the balcony. The sun is rising on the horizon. Pinks and purples paint the sky.

I pull out my phone. Today is the day. The day I have been waiting for. The day I wished for years ago in Winnipeg, and again along the shores of Lake Nippissing. Back when I was worried about my future.

But today the future is as bright as the sky. For the first time, my portfolio is 7 figures. A million dollars staring back at me. And my annual expenses for this past year, including this last-minute trip to Barbados, came in under 40k. I am financially independent.

I watch the sun light up the sky, hear the world come alive. Two women bob in the morning waves below. Birds chirp, palm trees sway. The balcony door opens and Victor appears in his hotel robe, his hair ruffled, holding a cup of coffee.

“Morning sunshine!” I say. He puts his arms around me and we breathe in the warm, humid Caribbean air. I pray I have a million more days like this. Days to sip coffee on a balcony with Victor, to listen to the birds, to just…be. I’m going to enjoy every single moment.

“What do you feel like doing today?” Victor asks. “Get a workout in, grab a nice breakfast, hit the beach? Looks like it’s gonna be a hot one!”

I take one last look at the sky, now a bright blue, cotton ball clouds passing. I will never be separated from Victor again, never be forced to take a job I don’t want. I have no worries, no fears. My life is my own, the world a glittering treasure waiting to be discovered.

“Yes,” I say, turning to Victor and running my fingers through his hair. I pull him close and kiss him softly on the cheek.

“All of those things. I want to do absolutely everything.”

The End

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading this far! I sincerely hope my journey to financial independence will help you build wealth for your own life. And I hope you continue to join me on this blog as I follow the ups and downs of the turbulent stock market while exploring ways to live a healthy, wealthy life.