I wrote this for a dear friend of mine one night when she was hurting. She is doing some beautiful, brave healing and growing and grieving, and I know so many of you are too. So please take these words to heart, get yourself a red scarf if you need to, or some extra chocolate, and know that you are incredibly, deeply loved. You are intrinsically worthy of love.

Dear Red Scarf Girl,

You know I love you, right? I love you so much it will take a lifetime to express, but dear sister, that is what we have and more than that, we get to share eternity together.

I’m not going anywhere. You know that, but I will remind you as much as I need to.

What you are feeling is valid. You are facing so much, and you don’t have to understand it all tonight. Grieving and healing takes time and space and processing. 

So sweet sister, allow yourself to cry. I offer my shoulder. I will sit with you in it. And neither of us sit alone in it, either. This we both know. 

And someday, my Red Scarf Girl, He will bring someone who will love you and cherish you and honor you and fight for you and stand up for you. The partner of your heart who will walk with you and you with him. (Of course, he will have to go through me first.)

God is in control. Those obstacles weighing you down are never too big for Him if it is His will. And if it isn’t His will, that doesn’t mean He isn’t preparing what is for you, right now, this very night.

Fierce heart, you are not alone. Ever. And most definitely not now, not tonight, not this morning, not today.

One step at a time. Don’t try to swallow the ocean, and don’t try to hold it back either. 

Your courage is beautiful, as is your softness. In fact, they are one and the same.

I love you,

Sara