I checked out LetsEncrypt and it looks like just what I've been looking for! I've got another website I'm working on (an in-person Continuing Education platform), which will also need https so this is a great solution! Thanks!
I can see how moving from the about me window to the achievements and stories links is unintuitive. Which part is most unintuitive: Knowing to close the about me window? Knowing to click the achievements button or stories button? Or that clicking either button reveals the achievements or stories links, respectively? The problem I'm trying to solve here is to have some introduction to the site as well as a self-image shown immediately to 1. Let people know what the site is about when they first arrive and 2. Connect the real-world me with the virtual me. I believe the about me window does that, but it also seems to cause confusion in how to navigate the site. What are your thoughts?
Oh yeah, you called it - when both the achievements and stories links are shown at the same time, the page looks too busy. Also, on mobile the achievements and stories links do overlap.
Thanks again for your help!