“It took me 1 hr and 45 mins to do my makeup everyday. ‘No, it only affects your skin color and nothing else.’ People called me a cow, a Dalmatian, a spotted n-word… I say ‘never live in fear.'”
‘What are YOU looking at?!’ Why would they say those things to me? I became someone I didn’t recognize.’: Woman with Vitiligo finds self-love, ‘I no longer walk in fear’
‘It was my mother and I’s little secret. I made sure NO ONE was around and acted like nothing happened.’: Woman born with HIV, ‘It should bring us together, not humiliate us’
“I wish that others could view HIV as an immune system condition, easily manageable with antivirals. It didn’t bother me, but I knew it would most likely bother everyone around me.
‘Just because someone’s calendar and bank account are fuller than my own does not mean their life is fuller.’: Mom reflects on true meaning of success
“Just because someone’s calendar and bank account are fuller than my own does not mean their life is fuller.”
‘You need to take me to the ER. Something is really wrong.’ Doctors were telling us you might have leukemia. I never thought you were an alcoholic.’: Wife shares husband’s sobriety journey
“It’s important for people who only see the trips to Europe and the romantic, playful posts to understand the true gravity of what we went through to get to where we are today.”
‘You have cancer.’ I rubbed my growing belly in disbelief, tears pouring down.’: Third-generation breast cancer warrior battles diagnosis while pregnant
“Even though breast cancer took a lot from me, it birthed a magnificent daughter who taught me to choose myself. My body is now a road map for my journey of self-love.”
I May Not Get Chocolates And Flowers On Valentine’s Day, But My Husband Pre-Opens My Water Bottles For Me
“Before you start scrolling social media. And watching stories. And liking posts of girls showing off that make you start thinking to yourself, ‘Ugh she’s so lucky.’ I want you to look at yourself, and just for a second, remember all the ways your partner shows you love that is not limited to material representation.”
This Valentine’s Day, I Don’t Want The Fancy Flowers, Assorted Chocolates & Giant Teddy Bear
“Hey Babe, I don’t want a February 14th fuss. So, let’s not make a thing. I really love being you and me.”
‘Marriage means reaching across the space, across the pain, and forming a bridge to each other.’: Wife shares what acts of true love look like
“It looks like stroking his hand and tickling the little scar on his middle finger, because he loves that, and my touch calms him more than any pain killer could.”
I’ll Always Remember The Guy Whose Phone Calls I’d Get Too Nervous To Answer (No Matter How Comfortable We Get)
“I remember lace, but now it’s plaid pajamas. I remember staying out late, but now we tuck in early. You’re Chinese ordered in. You’re grocery bills. And kid drop-offs. Our entire relationship just one giant trip to Costco.”
‘The day I saw my first trans man, I knew I had been lied to. I told my husband I would never live as a woman again.’: Intersex man, gestational father shares self-discovery journey
“I knew very young I wanted to have a baby. Since the world taught me this is what moms do, I must be a girl. I would soon discover this is not true.”