Marisa Donnelly

You are the woman who forgives, who loves, who cares unconditionally. There is nothing wrong with that; in fact, your forgiving heart is beautiful. But you must also protect yourself, too.

Because someone who loves you will never try to make you less.

And here I am, left
to pick up the pieces
to pretend I wasn’t tongue-tied, hopeful
for the kiss that wouldn’t come.

Stop keeping people at arm’s length, and forgiveness far from your heart. Stop thinking you don’t deserve to be light and happy and weightless again. Because you do, sweet thing. You do.

Isn’t it crazy that in this world of millions and millions of people, we’re all fighting invisible battles in our heads?

Utah: “Am I happy?”

Don’t look back and wish you could change parts of your past or erase time. Because time wasn’t lost, is never lost in loving.

We are sometimes a lot to handle, but we are not complicated. We are sewn together with emotion and sensitivity, filled with heart and passion for the people and projects we take interest in. We love. We embrace. We open. We trust.

Yes, you can carry your burdens alone. But you don’t have to.

You are not weak. You are not a burden. You are not alone

Family goes beyond blood—those girls, those teammates, that bond—it’s for life.

You are never defined by your brokenness. And even in your lowest, most painful moments, you are beautiful, powerful, and strong.