Hey there, lovelies! Today I’ll be sharing some life updates with you. I have been a little MIA here on the blog and on my social media.
I’m a very private person, so some things are hard to share for me. But I also wanted to open up, just in case someone is going through the same.

We can all agree that 2020 was a different year (not necessarily something bad).
At first I was OK with quarantine and staying at home. Then time passed and nothing was really getting better.
Around May I was starting to worry about my long distance relationship. By then, six months already passed since the last time I saw my boyfriend, and that has been the longest time without seeing him.
I even wrote a blog post about the struggle so I would help others in the same situation.
The pandemic affected people in different ways, and everyone in a long distance relations was definitely worried about not being able to visit their significant others. Especially if you have to travel on a plane.
By August I was over the whole situation, but I was also very worried. Why? Because we have been planning to close the distance since last year and all our plans were postpone because of the pandemic.
We were in the middle of a visa process that has been delayed due to COVID-19.
Closing The Distance
If you have been around my blog for a while, you know that I have been in an international long distance relationship since 2015.
While my boyfriend lives in the US, I was in Chile with my family; and before all this, we would see each other every four months or so.
It was tough, but after five years together I can finally say, WE ARE CLOSING THE DISTANCE!

So around a week ago and after two COVID-19 tests (they were uncomfortable AF), I was finally able to see my boyfriend. Now I don’t have to leave!
How did we do it? Well, it took a lot of paperwork, money, and time. I’ll definitely be sharing my experience here in case you are going through something similar. I want to help!
My last days in Chile flew by, and I didn’t have time to say a proper goodbye; but honestly, it is what it is. I just miss my dog a lot.

Why I didn’t have enough time to say goodbye to Chile? Because I needed to go to Peru ASAP.
My mom’s side of the family is from Peru. So my grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc, they all live there.
The thing is that… around the beginning of August, I got the news about something I didn’t know I would get so soon.
My grandma was sick.
2020 Hit Me Were It Hurts
At first I was shocked. My family thought it was a stroke. So we weren’t that worried. We knew she would be OK if that was the case.
They did more test and everything was fine. My grandma is a healthy lady. They checked her heart, cholesterol, etc.
But one of the test reveled the worst: she has an aggressive brain tumor.
Sadly, the doctors can’t do anything else.
I still can’t wrap my head around it. I pray every day for a miracle, because it can happen and I don’t lose hope.
She is so important to me, and I don’t know what I’m going to do without her in my life.

We spent all my summer breaks together when I was in school. We would do so many fun activities together. We loved watching home-renovation shows and Say Yes To The Dress.
All the goodbyes at the airport were heartbreaking for me. I did’t want to go back to my house. I wanted to see my grandma every day.
She cooked the best meals, and always treated me with cutest clothes. She even sew so many of my favorite tops! The one on the picture above is an example.
She did so many things for me, and I’m so grateful for having such an amazing grandma.
Sometimes, life hits us where it hurt the most. We are never ready to deal with something like this, but it’s part of life even if it’s hard.
I just thank God for all the years that we had together. Because honestly… I got the best grandma in the world.
I refuse to say goodbye to her, and like I said… I still think a miracle can happen.
Life Will Always Surprise You
Even though this year has come with many unexpected events, I’m still super calm and dealing with all my emotions as good as I can (even though I cried while writing about my grandma).
Something that has helped to deal this difficult things is Ho’oponopono. Which in short words it’s a Hawaiian practice of reconciliation and forgiveness.
I have been practising for almost a year now and it has changed my life for the better.
Having inner peace no matter what life throws at you, is awesome.

So if you are going through something tough, I recommend looking into it. Your perspective of live will never be same after it.
It focus a lot on healing your inner child, which is often what cause us pain when we are adults.
Has 2020 been rough for you too, or it has been a good year? Because not everything is bad!
The pandemic has also taught us a lot lessons and we have to learn from them. What is something that you learn this year? Let me know in the comments!
Sincerely,

Alice says
Sending you good vibes this season sweet girl! It’s been a rocky year for a lot of us. Glad you had some good moments to balance out the tough ones!
xo,
Alice
Melissa says
Yes. It has definitely being a roller coaster of emotions. Thanks for the love!
Taylor says
I’m so sorry about your grandma!! 2020 is definitely a tough year. But very happy that you have your boyfriend near you now!
Melissa says
Yes! It has definitely been a bittersweet moment in my life. It’s important to look at the bright side.
Amanda says
I am so sorry about your grandma, such horrible news for her and your family. Great news about the changes for you and your beau-Wishing you all the best with everything!
Melissa says
Thank you so much! We are so excited to start this new chapter together!
Lily says
Wow, you have definitely been through a lot! I’ll say a prayer for your grandmother. I’m so glad you are finally with your boyfriend!
Melissa says
Thank you so much! I really appreciate.
Deborah says
I am SO sorry to hear about your grandmother. I recently heard that my grandmother who lives in South Korea had pneumonia and had to be hospitalized and it was heartbreaking knowing I couldn’t even travel to go see her due to the pandemic. Suffice to say, I know how terrible the feeling of knowing someone you love is ill and life is changing all around you.
That said, I’m so happy that you and the boyfriend are closing the distance! Congratulations guys!
Melissa says
I’m so sorry about your grandma. The pandemic is making normal situation even harder. I was able to travel and see her, but after waiting like 2 months for the boarders to open. It was definitely a stressful situation.
Kileen says
I am sending you prayers and lots of love to you and to your Grandmother! It has been a year full of ups and downs for sure! I agree with you that having inner peace is the key to happiness!
Melissa says
Thank you so much! It means a lot to me.
Stephanie says
What a seriously bittersweet season you’ve been going through. I’m sending you all the love and well wishes and praying for your grandmother. I know that’s so challenging. I am incredibly happy for you and your boyfriend though! Congratulations to the two of you!
Melissa says
Thank you so much! Like you said, definitely bittersweet situation. Like can be so tough sometimes…