#coastal cowplant jolgen2

[coastalcowplant]

Introducing little Rigatoni 🍝🤍

Madeleine was feeling alone in the house, so she adopted this beagle baby 🥹

Rigatoni Conley

puppy

traits: loyal, vocal, playful

I need someone to look at me the way Rigatoni looks at Madeleine

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[coastalcowplant]

Degree in Culinary Excellence from the Laurent College of Culinary Arts 🎓👩🏼‍🍳

Madeleine finally finished her degree!🥹

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[coastalcowplant]

Uncertain Future…☁️

At first, I threw myself into everything—school, work, cooking—anything to fill the silence he left behind. I told myself I needed to focus anyway, that I’d been doing the right thing all along. But the more time passed, the more I started to wonder… was he right?

I used to think I could balance it all: my dreams, my ambitions, and a relationship. But maybe I wasn’t balancing anything. Maybe I was just pushing Elian aside, convincing myself it was temporary. That he’d always wait.

He called himself an afterthought, and the worst part is… he wasn’t wrong. I didn’t mean to make him feel that way, but I see it now. In my mind, everything I was doing was for the future—our future. But what’s the point of building something for us if I never made time for us in the present?

I miss him. His smile, his patience, the way he always supported me—even when I didn’t deserve it. But maybe he needed more than support in return. Maybe he needed someone who could truly make space for him, and I wasn’t that person.

And now, I’m starting to wonder if he’s better off without me. If I’m better off this way too. Focusing on my goals has felt… easier without the guilt of letting him down. Does that make me selfish? Or does it just mean he was right all along..?

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[coastalcowplant]

True Hobby Discovered! // Cooking👩🏼‍🍳🥘🍝

It only took her several years to figure it out..? Guess she just wanted to make sure!

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[coastalcowplant]

Every chef needs a signature dish👩🏼‍🍳

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[coastalcowplant]

Halfway through culinary school, and everything feels like it’s finally falling into place 👩🏼‍🍳🤍

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[coastalcowplant]

The perfect moment finally found them💋

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[coastalcowplant]

Joined the Culinary Career 👩🏼‍🍳🥘

Madeleine has joined the culinary chef career. She is a pastry chef at Trattoria Laurent under Hilary Laurent herself!

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[coastalcowplant]

Prepping for her LAST final!! 📖🍳

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[coastalcowplant]

Night Turns to Day💋☀️⛲️

The golden, early morning light danced across the waves as I laid against the sand next to him. Matteo’s laughter still echoed in my ears, and I could still feel the warmth of his hand brushing mine as we had walked along the shore just a few hours before. And that kiss… I had meant for this to be simple—a carefree evening to shake off the weight of my responsibilities and worries—but nothing about Matteo felt simple. He made me laugh in ways I hadn’t in months, ways I forgot I could, and listened like I was the only person in the world. I’d ended things with Elian to focus on my future—culinary school, my career… I felt so certain there wasn’t room for anything else. But now, watching the sun rise on a beach with nothing except for each other, I realized I wanted to see where this could go.

Matteo wasn’t just a distraction—he might have been exactly what I was missing

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[coastalcowplant]

Just one night… 💜🪩💋

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[coastalcowplant]

Karaoke Date Night 🪩🎤💜

Matteo: You know, I wasn’t sure you’d actually agree to this. Bianca made you sound… busy.

Madeleine: That’s her nice way of saying ‘workaholic.’ But I’m glad I came. It’s… nice to feel normal for a night.

Matteo: I’m glad you did, too. Maybe you should do this more often.

Madeleine: Maybe I should…

Matteo: I personally think you would enjoy it.

Madeleine looked up at him, meeting his gaze for a moment longer than usual. Something in his tone made her pause, and for the first time that evening, she couldn’t help but wonder if maybe there was more to that date than a casual night out… Feeling nerves swell in her stomach, she swallowed her anxieties and smiled at her date.

Madeleine: You know, I believe you promised to serenade me up on that karaoke stage.

Matteo: Did I? I seem to recall queuing a duet, so I may need a partner.

She held his gaze just a little longer than expected, before the smile returned to her lips—this time, a bit less guarded

Madeleine: Come on romeo, let’s go up there.

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[coastalcowplant]

Distractions 🪻

Bianca: Are you going to tell me what’s wrong, or should I guess?

Madeleine: It’s just… everything with Elian. I know breaking up was the right thing to do, but I feel awful. He was a good guy, you know? He didn’t deserve to get hurt.

Bianca: Feeling bad doesn’t mean you were wrong. You can care about someone and still know they’re not the one for you.

Madeleine: I know that in my head, but it still feels… selfish. Like, I chose my career and my future over him.

Bianca: And why shouldn’t you? You have every right to build the life you want. Elian’s a grown man—he’ll figure it out.

Madeleine: You make it sound so simple.

Bianca: Because it is. You don’t owe anyone your happiness, Madeleine. You’re allowed to put yourself first.

Bianca: You know what you need?

Madeleine: Enlighten me.

Bianca: A distraction. Something fun. Something not Elian. And lucky for you, I happen to know just the thing.

Madeleine: Uh-oh…

Bianca: No no—just fun. You should go on a date with my brother, Matteo.

Madeleine: Your brother? Bianca, come on.

Bianca: What? He’s handsome, charming, and, most importantly, not looking for anything serious. It’s perfect. You both get to have a good time, no strings attached.

Madeleine: I don’t know… I haven’t even thought about dating since Elian.

Bianca: Exactly. This isn’t about ‘dating.’ It’s one night. No pressure, no expectations. Just two people enjoying dinner and maybe a little harmless flirting.

Madeleine: I guess it couldn’t hurt…

Bianca: That’s the spirit! I’ll talk to Matteo. Trust me, you’ll have a great time.

Madeleine: Why do I feel like I’m going to regret this?

Bianca: Because you overthink everything. Relax—it’s just one night. What’s the worst that could happen?

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[coastalcowplant]

Milestone Unlocked ❤️🔒

Madeleine had grown weary of casual dating. She was ready for something deeper, something lasting. Am I?

One afternoon, as she and Elian sat side by side on the couch, a comfortable silence settled between them. Madeleine found herself lost in his eyes, feeling the weight of the moment.

Madeleine: Elian?

Elian: Yes love?

Her heart was pounding in her chest… His gaze never left hers.

Madeleine: What are we?

Elian’s lips curled into a sly yet almost disappointed smile, something Madeleine noticed immediately.

Elian: I was hoping you wouldn’t ask that—

Madeleine: —why? Are you not—

Before she could finish, Elian gently placed his hand on her cheek, silencing her. His touch sent a warm shiver down her spine.

Elian: I was hoping you wouldn’t ask that until Saturday. . . I was planning to ask you to be my girlfriend at dinner.

He leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead before grinning. Madeleine’s breath caught in her throat. She couldn’t suppress the smile that tugged at her lips.

Madeleine: Oh Elian, just ask me now!

With a mischievous gleam in his eye, Elian took a deep breath, his voice low and sincere.

Elian: Madeleine Conley, would you like to be my girlfriend?

Madeleine: Yes, Elian! Of course, yes!

The moment felt electric, and for the first time in a long while, Madeleine knew that this was just the beginning of something real.

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[coastalcowplant]

Breaking Apart 💔

Elian: Thanks for letting me stop by. I wasn’t sure if you’d want to talk. How have you been?

Madeleine: Busy. You know how it is—classes, work. It’s been keeping me occupied.

Elian: Yeah, I know. It’s been strange, though. Not having you around… Madeleine, I’ve been thinking a lot about us. I know I was the one who said we needed a break, but… I miss you. I think we can figure this out—if you still want to.

Madeleine: I’ve been thinking too. A lot, actually. And I don’t think I realized it at the time, but… you were right. About everything.

Elian : What do you mean?

Madeleine: I mean, you were right to say we needed space. These past couple of weeks, I’ve been focusing on myself—on what I really want. And as much as I care about you, I’ve realized… I don’t think I can give you what you deserve right now.

Elian: So that’s it? You’ve already decided?

Madeleine: I have. And it’s not because I don’t love you—I do. But I can’t keep asking you to wait for me while I figure myself out. It’s not fair to either of us.

Elian: I thought we were building a life together.”

Madeleine: I thought so too. But right now, I think we’re just holding each other back. I need to focus on who I am and what I want. And you… you deserve someone who can give you the attention and love you need without hesitation.

Elian: I get that you’ve been busy, but… don’t you think we’re worth fighting for?

Madeleine: This isn’t about not fighting. It’s about realizing what I need right now. I can’t give you what you’re asking for.

Elian: That’s just it—you won’t. You’ve buried yourself in work, in school, in everything but us. It’s like you’ve already decided I’m not part of your future.

Madeleine: Because I have decided, Elian… I’ve spent the past couple of weeks trying to be honest with myself, and I can’t keep pretending that I can balance everything. I can’t keep putting my dreams on hold.

Elian: And what about my dreams, huh? What about what we were building together? Does that just mean nothing to you now?

Madeleine: It’s not that simple. You think I don’t care? I do! But staying together when I know I’m not in the right place for this—it’s not fair to you. Or to me.

Elian: What’s not fair is you making this decision without even giving us a chance to fix things. You’re throwing everything away because it’s easier than trying!

Madeleine: Easier? Do you think this is easy for me? This is one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make, Elian. But I know it’s the right one. For both of us.

Elian: You’re wrong. You don’t get to decide what’s right for me.

Madeleine: Maybe not. But I can decide what’s right for me. And this… isn’t it.

Elian: I guess there’s nothing left to say, then.

Madeleine: I guess not.

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[coastalcowplant]

Putting things on pause

Madeleine: Love, can you give me just a second? I need to check my email before we leave. I think my professor might’ve sent feedback on my project draft.

Elian: Madeleine, really? Can’t it wait until after dinner? We’ve been planning this night for weeks.

Madeleine: I know, but it’s important. This project could make or break my grade, and I can’t afford to miss anything.

Elian: It’s always something with school, isn’t it? An assignment, a project, a deadline. I thought tonight was supposed to be about us for once.

Madeleine: It’s not like I’m trying to ruin the evening. I’m just trying to stay on top of things. You know how much this means to me.

Elian: I do, Madeleine. I know how much it means to you. What I don’t know is where I fit into all of this anymore.

Madeleine: What are you talking about? You’re here, with me, supporting me—just like always.

Elian: (exhaling sharply) Am I, though? Because it doesn’t feel like it. Lately, I feel like I’m just… here, waiting for you to have time for me. For us. And I’m tired of feeling like an afterthought.

Madeleine: That’s not fair, Elian. You know how hard I’m working. I’m not putting you last—I’m just trying to build a future for both of us.

Elian: But what if I’m not in that future? What if I’m just holding you back from what you really want?

This caught Madeleine off guard, her feelings of defensiveness dropped away as she stepped forward with a softer voice, reaching for Elian’s arm.

Madeleine: Love, don’t say that. You’re not holding me back.

Elian pulled his arm away, leaving Madeleine feeling stunned.

Elian: Maybe not. But it feels like I’m just… in your way. I think… I think we need to take a break, Madeleine. Maybe you need the space to figure out what you really want.

Madeleine: A break? You’re serious?”

Elian: I am. I can’t keep doing this—waiting for scraps of your time and pretending it’s enough. I love you, but I think you need to focus on what matters to you right now. And maybe I need to do the same.

She stood there blinking back tears.

Madeleine: Elian… I didn’t mean for it to get to this point.

Elian: Neither did I. But here we are…

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