With Grace for Who I Was and Love for Who I’ve Become

I’ve lived a few lifetimes in this one life.

The wild girl in me became the woman who knows her worth — clear, grounded, and full of light.

Here’s to honoring every version that led me here. 💛

With grace for who I was and love for who I’ve become.

Sometimes, I feel like I’ve lived a few lifetimes already. There are moments when I look back and hardly recognize the woman I used to be — and yet, I know she’s still a part of me. I see her — the woman who tried so hard, who loved deeply, who gave too freely, and who often confused being needed with being valued.

My sobriety wasn’t a choice at first; it was a necessity after beating cancer. Losing my pancreas meant alcohol was no longer something I could safely touch — but looking back, it was also the best thing that ever happened to me. Alcohol and I were never good companions. It blurred my edges, softened my voice (and sometimes made it too loud), and made me forget the power in being clear. The truth is, alcohol is poison — for anyone, but especially for my body — and living without it has been the most clarifying gift of all.

In the years since my cancer diagnosis, I’ve become hypervigilant about what I put into my body and how I nourish my health. I’ve always been mindful of food, but now I eat a clean, plant-based diet about 95% of the time — with the occasional little cheat here or there, because life’s too lovely not to allow some grace. That lifestyle might not fit everyone, and that’s okay. But I’ve learned I can’t share my time with someone who tries to change me — just as I would never try to change them.

The woman I am today values experiences over excess. I love to travel and explore, and my heart feels most alive discovering new places rather than sitting in the same bar week after week. My idea of a perfect weekend is being outdoors — walking, biking, dancing, or simply soaking in the sun beside someone who shares that same zest for living.

I adore live sports — the energy, the cheering, the thrill of being part of something bigger than yourself. I’m also a huge fan of live music — whether it’s a big concert or an intimate local set. Music speaks to my soul; and if there’s a violin in the mix, I’m the happiest girl in the room. There’s just something about that sound — it sings its own story, like nothing else. I love comedy too; I think comedians are pure genius. And I’ll always say yes to a reason to get dressed up — whether it’s for the theatre, a symphony, or a beautiful dinner followed by dancing. I love learning new things, meeting curious minds, and spending time with people who live with purpose and wonder.

I’m still me — just more grounded, more joyful, and more at peace. I don’t run from my past, but I don’t live there anymore either. I’ve grown into someone I’m proud of — someone who knows her worth and understands that boundaries aren’t barriers; they’re protection for what’s sacred.

So, if someone from my past remembers me as I was, that’s okay. But the woman standing here now — the one who loves her quiet mornings, her healthy body, and her vibrant life — is someone entirely new. And whoever I share my heart with next will be meeting the very best version of me that has ever existed.

Honey Note 🐝

You can’t rewrite your past, but you can live your present so beautifully that your past begins to look like the rough draft of a masterpiece.

With grace for who I was and love that believes in where I’m going,

🍯 Honey