One Of The Most Important Things I’ve Learned About Myself This Last Year:

“I turned 45 on October 5th, and as I was getting ready for dinner tonight, I had a profound realization while looking in the mirror. For the first time ever, I love me.

I love myself, flaws and all. Every cosmetic imperfection, every scar—they tell the remarkable story of my life. I love the version of me that leans on God every day. I love the me that has the heart of a lion, a champion who never gives up. I love the me that has been shaped by every challenge and hardship, and the one who rises from the ashes, no matter how many times life tries to burn me down.

I love the selfless me, who gave everything to my child for nearly 23 years. I love the fighter in me who battles chronic health challenges and a disabling autoimmune disease, yet still finds joy in the everyday. I love the me that uplifts others, simply out of love. I love the me who would sacrifice everything for the people who matter most.

I love the quiet me who enjoys solitude, as much as the me who thrives in the company of friends, whether in a crowd or one-on-one. I love the me who dances like nobody's watching and sings with passion at the top of her lungs. I love the me who embraces working out, as well as the one who fully lives every moment of life.

For the first time in my life, I love all of me—completely and without conditions. My love for myself no longer depends on anyone else’s approval. It’s just mine, and it’s enough.

Without the pain and struggles I’ve faced, I wouldn’t have this beautiful life. Every challenge has prepared me to grow stronger and appreciate more. I’ve learned to embrace my life for what it is, rather than comparing it to others. I have one life, and I’m determined to make the most of it. This life is mine—uniquely, beautifully mine—and it’s amazing because it’s mine.

Life isn’t about how it begins or ends; it’s about the journey in between and making it unforgettable. So, how will you live your best life today? For me, I’m choosing a life of yes.

These photos capture a year of triumph—recovering from a near-death experience in 2023 and months of therapy just to walk again. From running the Peachtree Road Race 10 years after initially dropping out, to breaking my foot two days later; from parasailing at the beach to a girl’s trip to Vegas, I said yes to it all—and I have no regrets. Almost losing my life taught me one essential truth: the time is always now, never later."

Ivy