Here I am. 6 and 1/2 months in. This is me in Vegas with Trish- a weekend so freeing and light and fun and girlie. I will never forget it.
This picture captures where I am. I feel beautiful and strong and alive. I am working hard to be in a better place for me so that I can be in a better place for my kids.
I am in the phase of accepting. I am no longer putting my gloves on each day, fighting the fight of my lifetime to save my most prized life. I did that for a long time. I am accepting that I cannot fight alone. I am accepting where it is and taking a water break.
I used to think that people who just split from their partner would get all dressed up and stuff to get attention and to live the new single life. How wrong I was. I realize that you just want to feel different than the way you feel in that time. I understand the drastic haircuts, the new clothes, etc. because you feel so dead, so ruined, so numb, that you just want to feel anything but that.
Anything would feel better.
I remember going to a 4th of July party and I was complimented on my make up. I put make up on for a swim party, which I never do. I had to. I didn't want anyone to be able to see what I was really feeling inside- the sadness, the pain, the worry, the heartache. I will never judge new looks after a break up again. It's not for attention. It's to hide.
The biggest part of where I am, is in the place of no regret. It is completely freeing to know how much I loved and appreciated my life in the moments they were. It's not taking this life event to make me look back and see what I had. I knew it then and I know it now. I have no regrets.
I LOVED FULLY. I communicated what I cherished in many many ways to the one person I chose as my partner in life. I was all in and I gave it my everything. It is extremely healing to know I always worked to be my best self for me and my family. I was intentional and proud. I worked to keep love alive and exciting even after so many years together. I was a best friend and the biggest cheerleader to my family unit.
Some people never get to experience love like that. I did. I have. I do.
And that makes me an incredibly blessed woman.