Words will not stop her, only drive her. She has a fire in her heart and determination in her step. People may tell her she is bound by gender, sexuality, and skin, but she knows better than to let hate win.

She has been many women, lost, fearless, exhausted, and brave. But above anything she is the kind of woman who will make you remember her name.

You do not love her if you expect her to not have her own opinion. You do not love her if you expect her to never have a say. You do not love her if you expect things to always go your way. You love her when you hold her heart and she holds yours, and together you walk through every door.

She is more than perfume and tinted eyes. More than pretty clothes and stretch marks. She is more than golden hair and turning heads to stare. She can move mountains, take empires with her mind. She will rise to every opportunity and take every setback in her stride.

I know that I love you, because you help me to believe I am capable of anything. You make me feel as though I can hold the weight of the sky, even in the moments I get a little shy. I have battled dark days, sometimes questioning my warmth, but with you I feel as though all this power has been unearthed.

All these people walking around putting emphasis on what you look like, dress like, and whether you’re beautiful because they say so. But isn’t it about your soul, and how you treat your waiter, and the way you let your kindness grow.

Things happen because of your involvement and your drive to make it happen. Things happen because you put your heart and soul into achieving all your goals. Rising from ashes is so much sweeter when you know you’ve worked for clear skies.

One day someone is the best thing to ever happen to you, and the next they are the worst. But even if you feel like good days are not coming and the heartbreak will last forever, know that it will pass. You will meet someone new, and eventually the love will last.

To the person I was never meant to be with, thank you for showing me what I didn’t need. Thank you for making me realize I didn’t have to settle, that I could be with someone who wanted the same things I did. I know that I am worthy of love and kindness and someone who loves me equally. Thank you for showing me that.

Remind your daughter, your mother, your grandmother, your aunt, your sister, your cousin, your friends that you are stronger together. That the world needs balance, that womanhood is a blessing.