A Slipper, an Empire, and My Fairy Tale Ending
Updated: 2 days ago
Manuel Aragon is a Colorado entrepreneur with a deep background in business, tax preparation, advisory, and planning. He has served as a Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Operations Manager, Finance Director, and Consultant.
There comes a time in life when the noise fades away, the chase stops feeling fun, and the truth settles in. I am ready for something real. I want to move past fake, surface-level relationships, empty dinners, and feelings that disappear as soon as the night ends. In a world that often focuses on money, status, and what someone drives or where they live, I want and desire something much deeper.
I do not want another temporary date, an encounter that feels like a business deal for what I provide, or another person looking at my bank account instead of my character. Sometimes I catch myself wondering if I am even worthy of love. I ask myself if I am just a dreamer hoping for something that does not exist. But deep down, I know those thoughts are not foolish. God hears my heart, and He knows the kind of love I carry inside.
Physical attraction is easy to find, but what I am looking for is rare. I am looking for a real partner, a rare connection, the missing rib made just for me, and the woman worthy of wearing a Cinderella slipper.
Sometimes I sit in the quiet and wonder if I am wrong for holding back. Maybe my standards seem high, or maybe my caution looks like distance. Maybe I have been hurt too many times. But when I look deeper, I know where that fear comes from. It goes all the way back to my relationship with my mother.
My mother lied to me for most of my life. When the first woman you ever love shows you that love and dishonesty can live in the same house, trust gets broken at the root. You learn early to watch out for fine print and hidden motives. Is bringing up my mom an easy excuse to keep my walls up? Maybe a little bit. But there is real truth there, too. It makes committing feel like jumping off a cliff without knowing if anyone will catch you. It is hard to hand over your whole heart when the person who raised you taught you that trust usually leads to pain and betrayal.
Those childhood scars only made the battles later in life harder to navigate. Surviving a divorce was one of the heaviest storms I ever had to walk through. I hold myself accountable for the fallout of that marriage. I never gave all of me, and it broke down what I thought was permanent and forced me to rebuild my life from scratch. To make matters worse, stepping into a new relationship that ended in domestic violence showed me how dangerous unhealed pain can be. Maybe that was a trauma bond, just wanting to be loved. Surviving that kind of trauma changes the way you see safety, love, and peace. It leaves deep scars, but it also teaches you what you will never tolerate again.
Some people struggle with my truth because they can only see life through their own experiences. I am far too honest with the man in the mirror to ever lie to someone else. Honesty is my anchor, even when it feels uncomfortable. At the end of the day, I know how I feel, what I think, and why.
When you do not align with someone and you choose to walk away, it can lead to deep disappointment. People do not always handle boundaries well, and they may try to tear you down or spread lies when things do not go their way. Experiences like that make me want to close the door on vulnerability altogether. Being alone feels safe, but safety is not the same as peace. The truth is, behind high walls, it still gets lonely. I am struggling not to punish the future because of the past.
For a long time, the world tells men that making money and building an empire should be enough. I have built a good life. I have made it through hard times, survived betrayals, and earned my strength through faith and hard work. But real strength is not meant to be kept all to yourself. Building a great life means very little if you have no one by your side to share it with.
My deepest desire is not to be wanted for what I own, but to be known for who I am. I want a love that goes deep. I want a partner who has the patience, grace, and curiosity to peel back my layers. There are a whole lot of layers to me.
Will you take the time to really get to know me?
Will you sit with my silly side, the unpolished, real parts of my spirit, while taking time to understand the weight I carry? My burdens are heavy, but my purpose is huge. Will you learn what drives me every morning and what makes me happy when no one else is watching? Will you hear those thoughts when I’m up at 2 a.m. fighting with my demons?
Real connection takes time, patience, and effort. It does not happen overnight, especially while I am working on getting my life, my heart, and my faith in order. Work is always there, and if I’m honest, I don’t even know if I want to keep trying to maintain the life I built. I have everything I ever wanted personally at this point. I need someone who lets a strong foundation build naturally. I am done pouring energy into empty relationships. From now on, I’ll sit back and watch. I’ll look at actions, not words, to see who shows up when there is nothing to gain.
I desire a partner who is not afraid to understand the harder parts of my heart. Will you learn what brings out my frustration, not to push my buttons, but to respect my boundaries? Do you know why I’m so guarded? Do you even care? Will you pay enough attention to see what brings tears to my eyes? I carry the weight of an entire generation, and I feel the pain of those who aren’t here with me. That’s proof of how deeply I care, how much I survived, and how much I value the truth.
As for the people who hurt me, lied to me, or tried to ruin my name in the past, I choose forgiveness. Carrying anger only puts chains on my own heart. I forgive them not because what they did was right, but because my soul deserves peace and my future requires a clear mind.
I desire a woman who cares about my spirit, my values, and my heart long before she looks at what I can provide. I want a connection rooted in God and faith, a love that protects me from a shallow world. I desire a partner who can pick me up when I fall, push me forward when I am tired, and walk beside me as an equal.
I hold myself to high standards because my integrity is non-negotiable. The truth is sacred to me. I do not have time for games. I am committed to my future, and I will not settle for fake love just to avoid being alone. I know who I am, I know what I survived, and I know the value of the heart I have to give.
I have a slipper in my hands, but there is only room for one woman next to me. The space beside me is not crowded, and the bar is not low. I will test you beyond normal. I will teach you if you want to learn. I will love you like you’re the only person in the world every time you’re in my arms. I am waiting for the one who shows up with honesty, grace, and an open heart, ready to build a life, add to me and my empire, and complete the path God made for me.
That’s a fairy tale ending.
Read more from Manuel Aragon
Manuel Aragon, Tax Consultant & Advisory Planner
Manuel Aragon has elite expertise in tax preparation, accounting, finance, cash planning, and tax strategy. Manuel has delivered modern, innovative financial solutions, driving growth and efficiency for multiple companies in Colorado. His leadership and approach have solidified a reputation for excellence, onboarding, and overall client satisfaction. Continues to serve in multiple roles across the Front Range as a Tax Preparer, Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Operations Manager, Finance Director, and Consultant.
