Every woman in my life has made some sort of contribution to my understanding of life and myself. They have strengthened me as an individual and have taught me to never stop learning or growing and to appreciate myself more and more each day. To anyone who stumbles across this article: I hope you can find a new appreciation for the women in your life. So, to my mom, sister, friends, cousins, aunts, teachers and mentors, girls I’ve met at concerts, even strangers: thank you, and here are a few things I want to say that you don’t hear enough.
I’ll start by telling you all how much I love you. I know I don’t always show it, and I know I’m not around as often these days, but I truly do. You are the most important women in my life, and you always will be. All of you have sacrificed so much to get to where you are today, and it just proves how strong of women you really are — strong enough that I don’t think words in an article could even come close to amounting to what you all deserve. Each of your individual purposes in the lives of others and the community around you is extremely significant.
You are each your own person. You belong to nobody but yourself. There is such a pressure to fit a certain mold, to act or look a certain way to please others, but you all show me your individual traits, values and how you are confident enough to not give a shit about what anyone thinks of you. You embrace your flaws; you’re beautiful, individualistic, and even in your purest and most genuine form of yourself, you bring so much to this world that I can’t imagine my life without.
Thank you for being strong. Life comes with all kinds of disappointments, trials and tribulations, and you might even be going through the worst of it right now. But there is so much strength in you, even in your weaknesses, and believe me when I say that it doesn’t go unnoticed. Thank you for showing me what it means to persist and overcome, even when it feels like you’re stuck at rock-bottom.
I am so overwhelmed with love and appreciation when I think about the diversity and beauty displayed in all of you. Inside and out, wherever you are in your life, wherever you’re from, and whatever you’ve gone through, it has made you the most exquisite and the most empowering women I have been so lucky to have the privilege to know. Our stories aren’t even close to being over, and my appreciation for you is just the beginning. I can’t thank you enough for every lesson you’ve taught me and helping me realize things about myself that I was completely blinded too. You are all such a gift to this world.
Even though this may seem incredibly cheesy, I believe it’s so essential to hear something like this every once in a while — a woman’s worth isn’t tied to what kind of wife or mother she is or how closely she follows the rules. I have had the privilege of being raised by the most impeccable and rebellious women I’ve ever known. I’ve been taught how to appreciate my flaws, my quirks and my insecurities. Every woman is powerful, and it’s about time we started appreciating that and each other every damn day.
So thank you, truly, for all of the sacrifices, long nights, cries, laughter, and advice that I’ve recieved from each of you. No amount of words or tokens of appreciation could ever amount to what each of you deserve.