“You accepted me for who I am, not for you who you wanted me to be.”

Powerful words that I cannot take credit for, but felt so deep in my soul they brought tears to my eyes.

I watched a movie tonight, an older movie from 2012, called “The Vow” with Rachel McAdams and Channing Tatum. I probably don’t have to worry about spoiling it for anyone now that it has been out for 12 years, right? Just in case you haven’t seen it, stop reading this and go watch it. It is a great movie!

When I heard Rachel say these words to Channing I re-played them in my mind a few times, and then I paused the movie so that I could write them down.

They brought me back to a time when I didn’t know who I was but I knew I wanted to be accepted for just being me.

I was 22 and I was a train wreck.

I am not looking for pity by admitting that. It was such a pivotal moment for me that I can actually celebrate it now.

I tried on all of the costumes that were set before me and none of them felt right.

I attempted to be who everyone wanted me to be, but the masks were too tight.

I wish I could go back and sit next to my 22-year-old self and tell her that everything was going to be ok.

I would tell her to go ahead and marry the guy and I would also tell her to go ahead and have the children.

I would tell her that those children would love her more than life itself, and that they would someday be all that she’d be living for.

I would tell her that the next 27 years wouldn’t be easy, but that she would be given strength to hold on.

I would tell her that she would hit rock bottom but that she wouldn’t be stuck there.

I would tell her that the steps she took would seem unsteady at first but eventually they would be secure. Those steps would lead her in circles for a while, but then they would someday take her to a place she dreamed about, the place she was called to.

I would tell her to stay on that path no matter how hard things became.

I realize now, looking back at my 22-year-old train wreck self, that all of those things had to happen so that all of the pieces could fall into place.

I know who I am now. I know Whose I am. I know my purpose and I am thankful for it everyday.

I don’t have to be who anyone else wants me to be.

I accept me for who I am.