Open Love Letters

Dear me,

Yes, you are single on Valentine's day, the usual vibe. Haven't ever really spent Valentine's Day with someone, have you? It was as fleeting as it came. But honestly, not really a bummer. You had your own fair share of bad dates and exes, and would seriously rather be in the comfort of your own company.

There is already love for yourself. In how you protect your own peace and how you push yourself to grow every day. Not everybody could do that, and not everybody would be willing to do that with you. Keep going and being your own cheerleader to be the best version of yourself. Spend time in being creative and doing past-times you enjoy. Pour your love into projects you enjoy pursuing. There is love in that as well.

But also keep an open heart. You are always hopeful and optimistic, and I don't think anybody can take that away from you. There is power in feeling alive and full of hope regardless of the pain others have inflicted upon you. There is love in feeling that way. And by keeping an open heart, there will be plenty of room for people who matter to come in and appreciate that vulnerability.

Dear friends,

There's many of you to name and many of you to appreciate. And there's also no words to describe how grateful I am that throughout the years, you have supported me and encouraged my growth. I hope I do the same for you guys as well.

Over the years, my circle of friends have expanded and shrunk and expanded again and again like a rubber band. For a while, I thought that band will break with how many people I keep and how unwilling I was to let go of the people who did want to leave but remained stuck. These days, though, I think this band is secured in position now that I enjoy the people that I keep in my life and allowed myself to let go of others. The people who always support my dreams and goals. The people who are never afraid to be vulnerable and cut the small talk. The people who never judge and always listen. Love you all!

Dear family,

This goes to my mom, dad, brother and sister. There is complexity and turbulence in a love that is so unconditional. It is quite strange to see how powerful it is. With the gentleness of it all, there are also stormy and painful days. But the unconditionality of it is proven by the constant support and availability you have for us to shape our dreams and build the life we want for ourselves.

Some of us are older now, ready to take on that next step of freedom and independence. But we know that there is a home if you are there. A net that will keep us safe. An arch that will stay standing no matter how bad the weather becomes. So thank you for taking care of us. And thank you for having faith that we will be okay. And we will thrive under whatever circumstances are handed to us.

Dear soulmate(s),

There's probably a lot of you. A lot of you will be there to learn and grow with me. It may be in the form of friendships, or in the form of romance, or even work. But at the end of the day, we'll learn something together that will change us for the better. I'm pretty sure I met some of you already. But with the never-ending journey of growth and self-discovery, there might be plenty more of you that will come in its own timing. I'll see you soon!

Dear everyone,

Let's start romanticizing all types of love, whether that be platonic or familial or simply just the state of being in love with ourselves and everything around us. Love is always all around. It is not only in the form of romance, and other forms of love is no more or less than what romance can bring. When that romantic companion is absent in our lives, what we can do is romanticize and appreciate the other forms of love we do have in the present moment. And keep our hearts open and full. Life is precious, and so are the people around me. Everybody deserves to feel loved and appreciated, and here's spreading my appreciation to you for reading this open letter!

Happy Valentine's Day!

With love,

Gillian