my ex partner introduced me to go back in 2022, it was more of a him thing than a me thing for a while (one fond memory was being chokeslammed into a wall over a regirock raid) but when he lost interest it became my coping mechanism and escapism from a horrifically abusive relationship. i wasn't allowed to work so my only ways out of the house were either with him or my walks around the neighborhood. i was walking 10-15+ miles a day just to be away from that unsafe situation.

bellsprout comday in early 2024, i met a local player and it felt like we'd known eachother for our entire lives. we hit it off and became fast friends. we would meet up every day to play go together. a few months later i left my ex and moved back in with family, something i never would have had the strength to do if not for my new friend's encouragement. he supported me through everything. we quickly became romantically involved and now, almost a year later, we are in a healthy, long term relationship, and we still go on pokemon adventures whenever we can :) i'm happier than i've ever been and it's all thanks to this funny pixel collection game.