Last weekend, my dear friend of 20 years Taslin came to visit from New Orleans. It was a simply perfect, soul soothing couple of days into which we packed a lot. We went out for some great meals (sushi and Thai food), took in a Broadway matinee (Mean Girls – smart, witty and fun) and, of course, talked non-stop.

One of the highlights of Taslin’s visit – introducing her to Jessie’s Girl, my longtime favorite 80s cover band. I’ve been going to see JG for a decade now and they never disappoint with their tireless energy and amazing two hour concerts featuring some of the era’s most beloved pop and rock songs. This particular show had an added dimension for me. Because I got to enjoy it with one of my best friends. And because Jessie’s Girl performed during the most memorable moments of this year’s 80s Cruise.

My third voyage on the nostalgic annual sailing turned out to an unexpectedly life changing one. It felt like God was giving me this amazing do over after being in the vise-like grip of depression the previous two times. Though The 80s Cruise lineup is full of amazing headliner artists, Jessie’s Girl is the band that really brings everyone together. They’re the hardest working musicians for sure, performing six shows, each with completely different set lists.

It’s no surprise then that this talented and totally awesome group provided the pitch perfect soundtrack to the moments I will forever cherish most from this year’s voyage. The sail away party that gets the 80s party started. An intimate jam session with JG and Tiffany on the last night which found me dancing up a storm to Toto’s hit Africa. And, sigh, the beautiful slice of time when I connected with my boyfriend Steve.

On a breezy night at sea, as the band played to a packed crowd on the pool deck, I stood toward the the back by myself. I savored every beat of the music, on a high from seeing Kenny Loggins in concert earlier and feeling completely present. Though Steve and I already knew of each other, had been Facebook friends for awhile and met briefly at the cruise pre-party, this was the first time we got A chance to talk. Our connection was immediate, the conversation effortless. I so loved talking to Steve that I asked a friend of his to take the above picture of us. Of all the photos from this year’s cruise, it’s the one where I’m smiling the most. Little did I know that was a preview of what was to come for us.

Now I understand why people say love finds you when you stop looking for it. Before meeting Steve, I had not only stopped but accepted that love wasn’t in the cards for me. Taslin felt the same before meeting her husband Ross. She and I talked a lot about the winding road to meeting our soulmates. We fully appreciate the miracle of finding a life partner in this day and age when social norms seem to prioritize a toxic dating culture over committed, long term relationships.

Since falling in love with Steve, I’ve found myself thinking about the mountains of advice that people have given me over the years. Always well intentioned, most of it rings true. With one very big exception — that my expectations were too high. That I was unrealistic to want what my late, adored parents had with each other.

In nearly 30 years together, the magic and mutual passion they shared never went away. Dad himself said, their love was like cement — it could never be broken. Mom assured me I would eventually find that kind of relationship. With someone who would, to paraphrase how she once described Dad, fulfill the wildest dreams of my imagination. Mom, I am so very happy to finally be able to say — you were right.

That’s the thing about true love. It doesn’t require settling or giving up the values you hold dear. It brings out your best, most authentic self because at long last, you’re finally with the person who really sees who you are and loves you unconditionally. The same exact way you love him.

Even for a writer like me, there are no words to say how thankful and blessed I feel that Steve and I found each other. I’m so excited about all that’s ahead for us. Including, of course, seeing Jessie’s Girl again on the 2020 sailing of the 80s Cruise.