Apologies to my readers; today’s post is for my special someone.

You captured my curiosity the first time I saw you.

You stirred my imagination the first time I talked with you.

You ignited my passion the first time you kissed me.

You changed everything when you said “I will.”

You made my life when you said, “I do.”

You make me a believer over and over as you raise three amazing daughters!

You blow my mind every day with your compassion, humor, dedication, love of people, and zest for life.

I admire you. I love you.

You are in every future memory I imagine. I want to explore so many new worlds with you.

I pledge myself to you again and again and again!

Happy Valentine’s Day to my life partner, Julie!

And to everyone else, find someone for whom you want to get up tomorrow and be your best self, and show them some love!

What’s your love story? Will you share it on this post?

My two youngest daughters have a strategy to help them remember what’s most important. They write on their mirrors with dry erase markers. Sometimes they make a list of things to remember for the next day at school or what to pack for a trip. Sometimes it’s a quote or one-liner that boosts their spirit. My middle daughter, Emily, has some inspirational quotes written around the outside of her round mirror.

Writing on a mirror is how we talk to ourselves. We can only see what’s written when we see ourselves. What do you tell yourself when you look in the mirror? Are you proud of the messages you hear? Do they inspire you to be your best self? Do they boost your spirit?

Here are nine statements you could write on your mirror. Only some of them will apply to you and what you need today to be the best, most healthy version of yourself.

“Don’t talk to strangers.”

“People will take advantage of you if you let them.”

“It’s better to be safe than sorry.”

Narratives are those stories we tell ourselves that color our attitude towards ourselves and other. Some are more helpful than others. Stranger Danger is perpetuated by a narrative made up of all three statements above; “Don’t talk to strangers because they might hurt you and it’s better to be safe than sorry.” The problem with this narrative is that it doesn’t actually increase a child’s safety, while at the same time increasing fear, paranoia and insecurity. Most strangers are kind and could be a great resource in time of need. Most people do not want to hurt you. Universally avoiding strangers stunts a child’s (or adult, for that matter) social intelligence and prevents them from developing skills to sniff out who they can trust and who they can’t. The ability to engage a stranger and ask for help is a powerful life skill.