Boy, you sure have seen a lot haven’t you?

I don’t know how you do it. Two surgeries down and a rocky and narrow road of healing and restoration lies ahead of you. Even though you’re only three-weeks into recovery, I am so incredibly proud of you.

Proud of your perseverance, audacity and your emotional vulnerability.

You have always been an advocate for embracing emotions and taking each day as it comes, something I have witnessed in you since day-one of our friendship.

You keep going when the going gets tough, and most times, it continues to amaze me just how much you are able to do.

Last week you were able to come down the stairs by yourself. Today, you can make laps around the pool and put peanut butter (sort of) neatly on your bananas. Our pho excursion left me incredibly impressed. An hour long outing only held a handful of #cripplecrisis moments.

However, your physical milestones in this time of recovery is not what I admire most about you — nor has it ever been.

With great physical pain comes extreme emotional tribulation. I know this is a trial that you will work through, but I can’t help but applaud your approach already.

It is one thing to remain strong throughout periods of difficulty, but it is often overlooked what the true definition of strength is. Strength is not maintaining both physical and emotional togetherness at all times. To me, strength is the courage to endure any and all situations, both pleasant and painful, with the sophisticated grace of emotional vulnerability.

I see that in you constantly.

Right now, pain is consistent. Healing always hurts to let you know that it’s working and it seems that you are conscious of that and using it to propel you forward during this time of recovery.

You are open with your struggles. You are able to cry. You are vocal about what you are experiencing and need both from others as well as yourself in order to recover.

I don’t know about you but I see that as a huge milestone for you, personally.

You are not being timid, you are not being reserved. You are embracing your challenges and overcoming them with great strides. You have risen so much in the last month it overwhelms me with hope and optimism, as well love for you.

Thank you for being an inspiration and light to me, even in this time of “darkness” for you.

I love you and admire you. May this journey continually make you stronger.