Every year, I sit down to write this post (year 11, year 12)…partly as a reminder of how far I’ve come and partly as a thank you letter to my donor. Today is my 13th heart birthday. While I’m celebrating, I know another family is mourning another year without their daughter, sister, friend. My donor would have been 30 this year.
This year, I got married. Something my donor didn’t have the opportunity to do. It’s something I still have a hard time accepting, but I can’t express how thankful I am for her gift. Because of her, I had another year on this earth. I had another year with my family, friends and I became a wife.
Each year, I tend to recap something I’ve learned. I learned through my Crohn’s diagnosis how strong I am, I learned through buying a house and getting engaged to be an adult. This year, I learned to be me. I learned to truly love myself, my body and all the flaws that might come with it. Who would’ve thought that through wedding planning, dress shopping and marrying the man of my dreams, I’d find myself?
I learned to love every photo from our wedding, even the ones with the double chins because the smile on my face was literally the biggest, truest smile I’ve ever had. I learned to make decisions with myself first in mind. To do what I needed to do for me, my health, my mental health and my family.
A lot has happened this year. More good than bad and I know more good news is to come. I’m thankful for the person I’ve become, the opportunities I’ve had and the opportunities I’ll continue to have, all because of the gift of life.
If I can share some advice, live your life for you. Do what’s best for you and be your truest self.
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