Safe Space

After months—if I’m honest, years—of trying to uncover my most vulnerable creative self, I’ve finally found her. She was buried beneath betrayal, disappointment, and years of undiagnosed depression. I mistook survival for strength and silence for composure, never realizing how much it cost me to endure.

Ashley, I owe you an apology. For the times I listened to others and their selfish incentives. For the moments I ignored your inner screams just to appear put together. I am deeply sorry. I let you fall apart piece by piece, and I didn’t fight for you when you couldn’t fight for yourself. I asked you to carry weight that was never yours, and I called it resilience.

From this point forward, I promise to stand in the gaps—to choose you even when it’s inconvenient, even when it’s messy, even when it requires unlearning everything I was taught to value. I will support every dream without asking you to earn rest or worthiness. I will hold you close when you feel most alone and remind you that you are not broken—you were unheard. I will be the mother you need me to be: patient, protective, and unashamed of your softness.

I promise to honor you the way I always should have—by listening, by slowing down, by letting you take up space without apology. This is not a temporary vow. It is a daily practice.

Let’s do this. I love you.