Story Time: The MACK List

There I was — going through hell, waiting for my long-awaited divorce to be finalized. Feeling free, yet… a little terrified. I knew that once this chapter slammed shut, I’d be ready to start looking for the one.

You know — the real one.
Not the one I married, had a child with, and built a life with. Nope. That one was currently being filed under “Ex-Husband.” I’m talking about the actual one. My better half.

Although, let’s be clear — I’ve since learned not to call anyone my “better half.” I am already whole. Complete. A full set. While my “one” will ideally feel like we’re cut from the same cloth, odds are we’re not identical swatches. (Still, I can’t lie — the whole twin flame thing? It’s got a gravitational pull I can’t quite shake.)

The truth? I had no idea what I was looking for.
What I did know was that I was lonely.
Yes, yes — I know. Not the ideal mindset for dating. But those lessons? They came later.

The Night It All Started

One night, I was feeling pumped. I wanted to go out, paint the town red, maybe even magenta. But more than that, I wanted the thrill of being in love. Yup — hopeless romantic, table for one.

A few nights earlier, I’d done a deep meditation to “meet your soulmate in the 4D.” Spoiler alert: it worked. Sort of. I didn’t see him — instead, I got an impression. And a very clear takeaway: a raven laughing at me.

My spirit animal. The trickster. The shapeshifter.
So no, I wasn’t shocked that I couldn’t see him. It felt like he was being hidden from me — as if the timing just wasn’t right.

Enter: The MACK List

Feeling energized, I grabbed a piece of paper — not just any paper, but the good stuff. Heavy card stock. The kind that feels like it could hold the weight of your dreams.

I thought about who this man was. What traits did I want? My pen practically danced across the page:

M – Mature
A – Affectionate
C – Caring
K – Kind

From there, it spiderwebbed into thought bubbles full of characteristics. I still didn’t know what he looked like, but I knew I’d know him when I met him.

It didn’t take long for my friends to dub it The MACK List. And yes, they made fun of me — rightfully so.

The Affirmation That Changed Everything

I started reciting this daily:

“Everyone who meets me absolutely falls in love with me. I am extremely attractive and desired. No one can help but fall in love with me.”

Caution: That affirmation works. Not for the faint of heart.

Within weeks, something wild happened. I’d been sitting with my MACK List, visualizing this man, daydreaming about our conversations. Then I got this strong feeling: He’s on his way.

So strong, in fact, that I deleted my dating apps. The underlying message was clear: Do nothing.

The Floodgates Open

Over the next two weeks, a parade of exes came out of the woodwork. Apparently, word had gotten out that I was no longer married, and suddenly everyone wanted to toss their hat in the ring.

I’d never thought of myself as “the one who got away,” but here I was — apparently a heartbreaker.

Some were easy to dismiss. Others… harder. A few even warranted a revisit. But it didn’t take long to remember why it hadn’t worked out before.

The upside? Closure. And let me tell you — closure is like an energetic cleanse. Almost… well, let’s just say it’s euphoric.

The Fresh Start

Once I realized this wasn’t about rekindling old flames, I knew: My MACK wasn’t in my past. He was in my future.

And wow. The next three men I dated? They blew my mind. Each one hit at least 90% of the MACK List.

One serenaded me on the boardwalk at night, against the Columbia River, city lights reflecting in the water. He whispered his song into my ear as he held me close. So romantic I could’ve melted into the pavement.

Another — part of a friend group — looked me dead in the eye and proclaimed, with absolute conviction, that he was my MACK. I hadn’t said a word about the list. The passion in his voice caught me off guard. And the thing is…

I believed him.

But here’s the thing about believing someone is your MACK… sometimes, the universe has a plot twist you never saw coming.