L-O-V-E

I throw the word "love" around a lot. I never say it when I don't mean it, but I mean it frequently. I've always felt it was important to love freely and deeply. I have never shied away from being vulnerable; even when it might have been smarter to put walls up, I've given my whole heart in many situations. I have always believed it is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all. That, of course, means my heart has been broken many times. But even when it hurts most, I still feel it's worth it.

I find myself in a situation now wherein my heart breaks a little bit on a daily basis. Tiny little breaks and cracks, imperceptible to anyone but me. I cover up those little breaks with bandages in the form of distractions -- friends, food, laughter, other comforts -- and try to heal myself. That's difficult to do, though, when the heartbreak in question is because the person you love is in so much pain and you end up taking on some of that pain yourself. I guess I didn't realize at first how much it was hurting my own heart. When the heartbreak doesn't come from a breakup and it happens just a smidgeon every day, it's hard to notice until it starts to be too much. And still, you solider on -- battle wounds and all.

I realize this sounds kind of cryptic and probably a bit dramatic. The point is that I'm struggling right now. All I really want to do is talk about cute clothes and chocolate and other things I really like about Valentine's Day. But I've been thinking a lot about love and relationships and having those two things with someone else relies on having love for and a healthy relationship with yourself. That's definitely easier said than done for me. But even though I will be spending this holiday with the guy I love, I'm vowing not to forget about me.

Outfit Details

Dress: Pinup Girl Clothing

Heels: B.A.I.T. Footwear (others)

Hat: vintage (similar)  ||  Necklace: similar