Happy Valentine’s Day!

It’s that time of year when we celebrate love in all its shapes and sizes! Amidst the roses and chocolates, I want to take a moment to highlight the most important relationship you’ll ever have: the one with yourself. 💖

Fifteen years ago, I found myself waking up to the possibility of overcoming depression. It felt monumental. But here’s the kicker: loving myself wasn’t even on my radar back then. I thought that if I acted confidently, that was a sign I was doing okay in the self-love department.

I was trudging through life, checking off boxes, but it felt like a never-ending cycle. Some days definitely felt like I was stuck in an awful version of Groundhog Day. It turns out, the real puzzle piece I was missing was the simplest yet most complex truth: I needed to truly love myself.

I know some of my clients voice concerns that self-love might come across as selfish. Is it, though? What if the key to healing the relationships we most cherish lies in learning to love ourselves first?

For me, this realization brought unexpected peace. My own ability to feel peace with a child who has chosen to “cancel” our relationship has grown because I’ve learned to get myself out of the way. That’s right—self-love is how I continue moving forward while honoring this child’s needs.

So, here’s my challenge to you this romantic week: say one thing out loud that you genuinely like about yourself. Just one! You are magnificent because God made you, flaws and all.

As we celebrate love this week, let’s remember to include ourselves in that celebration. Happy Valentine’s Day, my friends! May your day be filled with all the love you give and receive!