Marisa Donnelly

With you, I realize it’s not about what you need. It’s not about who you want me to be. It’s not about molding myself to fit into your arms. It’s not about making you happy at the cost of losing myself.

I always do this, don’t I God? I always forget that you’re the one with the road map, the navigation, the airbags and seat belts. You’re the one watching over me, guiding me, reminding me, again and again, that I don’t have to do this alone.

You value the relationships that you do have, instead of focusing on the ones you don’t.

Someone that truly loves you won’t have to spew angry words when things don’t work out as planned. They won’t be so quick to say you aren’t worthy of love; they will be that love, rather than force you to look for it elsewhere.

The ones we love and lose don’t leave us. They don’t fade. They don’t just disappear into the fabric of our pasts; they are intricately woven in, permanently and beautifully.

Find someone who puts passion into your soul. Whose every word is captivating, and who hangs on every syllable that falls from your lips.

Forgiving someone doesn’t mean you allow them a free passage back into your heart. It doesn’t mean that you open the doors to your life and give them the key.

In this life, I hope we stop second guessing. When we see someone we have feelings for, we find the words—the imperfect, honest words—and let them spill out of our mouths. When we feel at home in someone’s arms, we share that with them, vulnerability so raw it hurts.

Even if you feel little or lost, know this—the universe isn’t done with you yet. You are only beginning.

I’m learning that it’s okay to love what was, but infinitely better to appreciate and focus on what is.

Romantic love is not a measure of whether or not your life is full.

“I tried to steal her dog because we raised him together. I sneaked into the house and tried to grab him but she caught me.”

No matter how much you’re been broken, you still miss the people you love(d)—and that’s not wrong. True leaving and true healing take time.

Who you are is someone to be proud of. The way you stand is something to admire. Your faith and strength, your ability to speak when others are against you—those are powerful traits of a powerful girl.

‘Woman’ is not synonymous with weak.

I can’t hate you for leaving because life is too short to hold onto things and people that don’t fill our hearts with happiness and purpose.

Let go of all the pain that has been brought into your life, all the events that have shattered you, that have weakened you, that have shaped and changed you. Let them go.

Love is the moments between wake and sleep, cool body temperatures that spark flames when eyes open. Love is cloudless sky, full of hope and possibility.