A year and three months later—what I can only describe as a very real season of writer’s block, and I’ll own that.
A lot has happened in that time, and this is the space between all the fear and the fulfillment. I truly appreciate you taking the time to read through it, even in pieces—but fair warning, it’s a long one.
TLDR: What I Waited For Found Me Differently — I’m beyond grateful to share that I received an incredible job offer and became a first-time homebuyer. It was all shaped by patience, perseverance, and prayer.
My Prayer / Biggest Wish
Have you ever made a wish and wondered if it would ever come true? I think most of us would say yes. Now—when you made that wish, was it granted instantly, or did you have to wait? I would assume most of us had to wait. Lastly, have you ever felt that some wishes were never going to come true? Again, I think most of us would say yes.
Let me tell you a story about how my life changed in 365 days.
A year ago (April 2025), I threw God my biggest prayer. It was the one and only thing I had my heart and eyes set on.
“God, I want to be in New York City. Show me the way.”
And if you didn’t know, I’ve always been so drawn to the city.
I met the founder of an NYC-based software company back in 2023. Ever since then, the CEO and I stayed in touch, and I consider him an industry friend. In April 2025, he reached out to let me know he had met with an NYC-based data company that was starting to grow their team. Based on my experience, I was a potential fit for what they were looking for, and he offered to broker an introduction between myself and the heads of that group.
It felt so right—my prayer started to feel like it was slowly but surely being answered in a small way.
I spoke with the head of the department, and we hit it off instantly. The role wasn’t open yet, but the team was working on it. We kept in touch, and I was confident things would move along—I just needed to be patient.
I messaged the department head in mid-May and mentioned I’d be visiting NYC in June and would love to meet for coffee if schedules allowed.
I was feeling so depressed during that time and had started to doubt whether this wish would ever come true. Why would anyone carve out personal time to meet me? I thought, “they’ll forget about me, so don’t get excited.”
I remember praying one night (and there were many prayers and many nights): “God, if there’s a shot at this, show me.”
I woke up the next day to a message from the department head saying,
“I’m on business travel when you’ll be in town, but one of my managers who would oversee the role will meet with you while you’re here.”
My heart lit up like the 4th of July—and here we go.
The Meeting
I treated it like an (unofficial) interview: new suit, hair done, makeup bag packed, studying company updates, rehearsing my pitch. Before meeting the manager, I went to morning Mass nearby the coffee shop. I was so nervous, and before any interview (official or not), I always say a prayer—even if it’s just two seconds.
It was what felt like the hottest day in New York City, and I was wearing a blazer and slacks, determined to make the best impression.
The manager and I met, and I was ecstatic. Photo of me coming back from the dry cleaners for your amusement.
The manager and I had a lot in common, and I knew right off the bat this was someone I could see coaching me long term. I quickly learned it’s not just about any company brand name, but the people behind the curtain. After meeting both the head and the manager, I was certain this was the team and company for me.
The Waiting
The summer went by, and the days started to drag. I was still in contact with the data group, but the role still wasn’t available. I continued going to Mass almost every day, and even though it looked like I was being faithful, there were days I felt angry and confused about why I still tried to pray.
Three to four months doesn’t sound like a long time, but it felt like an eternity.
My dad’s heart health had ongoing concerns, friendships fell apart, and I showed up for people who didn’t show up for me. I understand life gets busy, but it still hurt—especially from people I would’ve done anything for.
I was going to Mass a lot at St. Paul’s in Jax Beach and remember tearing up in my seat saying, “God, if You hear me, I need You to show me right now that You’re with me.”
As Mass ended, an elderly lady in front of me began singing the same hymn my late grandmother used to sing to me. I cried even harder.
A few days later, I got a message from the manager saying they were still working things out but to keep hanging on.
The in-between
I took a risk, and at the end of my apartment lease that summer, I started paying month to month. I trusted God would get me where I needed to be, and I wouldn’t need the apartment much longer.
Things at my current job weren’t terrible. I was respected, valued, and cared for by my boss and team. But my personal life started bleeding into my work life, and it became harder to put on a brave face.
I demanded answers from God—when were things going to feel better? I just wasn’t a joyful person at that point. And it wasn’t anyone’s fault—I was just struggling to trust God’s will for me.
The Turning Point / NYC 10K
A while back, I had signed up for a 10K race in NYC in September 2025. I asked the manager if coffee was a possibility, and we penciled in time to meet.
Two weeks before I flew out, I checked the company’s career site just to look at roles, even if they weren’t in the same group. And that’s when I saw one that matched the exact criteria from all the conversations we had.
I applied, of course, instantly, and told myself not to message before coffee because the manager was on business travel and we’d be meeting already soon.
The night before I flew out, I got a message from one of the HR team members—the company would like to interview me.
God was paving the way.
This NYC Sept trip was probably the 2nd most exhausting NYC visit out of the 20-something I’ve done. Between the Giants game, the 10K, Jimmy Fallon show, the round 2 meet up with the manager, my gas tank was probably lit up close to E.
Coffee with the manager was my last stop, and I actually was flying out that evening.
When we met up, the manager opened with, “I’m sorry, I still don’t have anything approved yet in terms of roles.”
I immediately pulled out my phone, pulled out the interview request, and said, “Is this not you?”
It was a sister group—like Hollister to their Abercrombie vibe.
The manager promised to go to bat for me, and I was thankful again for this coffee meet up.
By the time I landed in Florida, I got a message from the manager letting me know the recruiter, hiring director, and the department head were all aware of my application, and they were excited I was considering their team.
This was it, and I was over the moon.
From September to November, I was doing interviews and made it to the finalist stage.
I sacrificed a lot for this season—stopped going out, barely saw my friends. It was work, sleep, pray, exercise, repeat.
Throughout the interviewing process, the recruiter had reassured me how much the team enjoyed speaking with me and that they were genuinely impressed with my experience.
Right before Thanksgiving, I got the phone call confirming that I did not get the job and that there was no negative feedback—someone with just a little more experience beat me by a fraction of a point.
I was devastated and in shock.
And the kicker was that I still had to drive 4 hours to West Palm for the break.
Shoutout to Bella and Mat Teves for staying on the phone with me the entire drive to wipe my tears away virtually.
Reset
Long story short (as if I didn’t give the whole season 1 SparkNotes), I walked into 2026 with an open mind and just tried to be a little closer to God than I was in 2025. It was time to bounce back.
The world doesn’t stop, and the sun will still rise. It’s up to me now to make the most of the current situation.
There were good days and bad days. There were times I’d be hopeful and excited, and times I felt like I was being punished. I convinced myself some days there’s a Jamie in a parallel universe who’s my evil twin and I’m being punished for that version of me.
I would pause and remember: my dad’s heart health improved, I’m still employed, I have the friends who did stick by my side, a roof over my head, food to eat.
It was time to stop just existing and start living again.
New Beginnings
In mid-January, I shot my shot again. This time with an accounting company I had met with in March 2022. The recruiter had found me when I was leaving my former company. I interviewed in 2022, but decided to discontinue when a data company extended an offer. However, the recruiter and I stayed in touch since then, which I’m very grateful we did.
He sent me a job posting based on my experience and what I was looking for, and it felt too good to be true. This job description matched everything I had ever specialized in.
We started interviewing in February, and I was just too scared to feel excited. I honestly didn’t know how long I’d last. I was giving each round my all, while preparing myself for the worst-case scenario.
I tried my best to keep praying and asking God to pave the way if this was the one for me.
After the third round, I messaged the recruiter for next steps. I didn’t know if there was one more round or if we were done. He responded back that there was a final round—and it’s with the managing director of the group.
I was nervous but also at peace. And truthfully, I didn’t feel this way with the whole New York thing. If anything, the New York thing felt like the world was on my shoulders and I was anxious every day. Which also concerned me—did I not give this next interview process my all, even though I thought I did?
I met with the managing director and didn’t know what to expect. You never know really until you walk into the room. As much as questions were asked of me, I also asked questions too. A lot of my curiosity was focused on coaching styles and growth.
And after this final round, I found myself wishing for this to be it—even if that meant NYC may be off the table.
The House Decision
Now the biggest curveball in this job hunt was me also being in the process of buying a house!
Which some of you may or may not be familiar with, but it’s as much of a roller coaster as my job hunt was.
You get excited about a house, but your offer gets passed up. You keep looking and looking until the final one lands.
I put an offer down on a house, and we made it to the appraisal stage, where the bank goes to the house and does an assessment to review how much it’s worth in their eyes based on property size and house conditions. The bank came back and the house was under appraised.
While some argue this is great news, I was sweating bullets. The bank will only fund what they think the house is worth, so either:
- You come up with the money to front the difference
- You renegotiate with the seller
- Walk away from the deal and start house shopping again
During this under appraisal stage, I hadn’t made it to the final round with the managing director yet.
I was at a crossroads because it was déjà vu all over again.
Do I walk away from this and hope I get the job and move to a new city, or do I keep moving along with the house and worry about the final interview later?
A lot of factors came into play, and one was my family. I love my parents, siblings, nephews, and niece so much. I wanted to continue to be physically close to them, especially after my dad’s heart health last summer.
Here I was, just taking a chance yet again… from my wish to be in New York, I just didn’t know if that still held.
And we moved forward with the house. It broke me a little bit to choose Florida, but it also broke me to keep waiting for a maybe.
We sent a counteroffer to the seller, which they accepted, and the house buying moved smoothly from there.
The Finish Line
March 30th rolls around, and this is my signing day to close on the house. It was a difficult and emotionally draining time for me. I was exhausted, not sleeping well, and juggling both an interview process and the stress of buying a house, which left me feeling pretty overwhelmed.
This was supposed to be the happiest moment for me, and I’m rolling into the title company office just feeling empty—and a few tears were shed.
I sign the papers, get the keys, and go see the house.
I was eating lunch when I got a message from the recruiter. I literally spat my lunch out and called my mom and dad.
Not only did I become a first-time homebuyer, but I scored an amazing job opportunity. The recruiter messaged me that I got the job and asked me to review the offer.
Saying goodbye
Now came the part where I had to say goodbye to my current job.
That place truly became home. It’s where I grew, where I was challenged, and where I built relationships that I’ll carry with me long after this chapter.
I didn’t expect it to hit me the way it did, but between the goodbye party, the thoughtful gifts, and all the handwritten notes, I felt so much love.
Now I’m turning the page, and it feels sweet and sad all at once. I’m grateful for everything that got me here, and excited—and a little nervous—for what’s next.
What I’ll Never Forget
I’ll never forget the times the Butler family (my good college friend Julie’s parents) had to pick me back up when I was crying at church, the random guy at Mass who gave me an Our Lady of Guadalupe medal (Fr Alex said, “See Jamie even Jesus is saying my Mom is with you”), Fr. Alex reminding me, “We put it all in the hands of God and let Him bring us to better places,” the all-nighters I’ve pulled trying to study, questioning if trying to be the kind-hearted person in industry was worth my while…
I saw it all come back around.
I waited a year for something good.
And it’s not just good—it’s better than anything I had pictured for myself.
To my family and friends—thank you. To those who stayed close, who prayed for me when I didn’t have the words, who listened when I needed to be heard, and who simply showed up with open arms and steady shoulders when I needed something to lean on—you carried me in ways I don’t think I fully knew how to ask for at the time.
As a runner, it can look like a solo sport from the outside—but I know better now. It’s never just one person on the road. It’s a team. And for me, that’s what this journey has felt like. One hard mile at a time, I kept moving forward—but never alone.
You were there in every step, every doubt, every quiet win I almost didn’t notice.
Of course, I’m grateful for my own strength—for my legs that kept going when it was hard.
But my heart knows the truth: I didn’t make it here on my own.
So thank you. Truly.
This finish line, whatever it looks like, was shared with all of you.
Jamie Vergara 