I'd say I started blogging in 2007-2008 when I made a blog for a class assignment. So many domain name changes, so many platforms. I started this Wordpress blog, what is now Lucy's Pearls, in 2009 as a way to document my everyday life. I built a community of readers here. We truly shared and engaged in ways that is difficult to do these days on social media.

I used to love blogging so much but with all things, seasons change. Life experiences like deaths in the family and personal illnesses caused me to emotionally disconnect from this sacred place I once called home. I left, decided I wanted to revive the blog and then realized that no, I do not want to do that at all.

It's been a year since I've posted on this blog and that has solidified for me that the time has come for me to formally let go. Man, I've been holding on by strands when in reality, it's the memories I didn't want to let go of. I've gotten so many amazing opportunities from blogging but I have to accept that blogging in 2009 and 2019 are not the same. I can lovingly say goodbye now.

I've learned so many things about myself in 10 years. I've tried some things, failed at others, got back up and tried again. Heck, I'm typing this letter to you after I mentally gave up on blogging. But I knew I could not let the decade come and go without properly saying goodbye and thank you.

• Thank you for reading along and sharing your stories with me.

• Thank you for cheering me on loudly and quietly.

• Thank you for supporting me financially when I branched out and created things.

• Thank you for coming out to events.

• Thank you for buying products I recommended.

• Thank you for trusting me enough to give advice.

• Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment.

• Thank you for laughing with me.

• Thank you for being patient as I evolved and grew wings.

• Thank you for pushing me to be a better version of myself.

Yo, I'm getting teary-eyed because I remember the nights when, in 2004, I had my first apartment by myself, but I didn't have cable. At night, I would park outside of the Starbuck's across the street and use their wifi to send you a message. I'd write to you from my Blackberry Bold on the go. I'd shut my office door and write write write, to you. And you heard me, you connected with me.

What a time it has been on this platform. I honestly don't regret anything. Life has made everything fall into place exactly the way it should and I will not complain. I just wanted to say thank you to those who did, and still rock with me, no matter how much I change.

I'm not sure what the next decade will look like for me. I'm taking my hands off the wheel and (finally) letting God control that. In the meantime, I will be writing, of course and creating more things. That's all I know for sure. Leaving the specifics up to my Lord and Savior, Jesus, the Eternal Homie.

This website will remain live because Lucy's Pearls will always have my heart, but I will not be blogging. You can find me on my various social media pages and in my newsletter (subscribe!).

I hope and pray that the next decade will be everything you need it to be in your life. If challenges arise, as I'm sure they will, remember to ride the wave. Nothing lasts forever. I love you all. Have a safe, blessed and prosperous new year.