A Love Letter to the Woman I Met Last Night (and to the Parts of Ourselves We Often Hide)

Playa del Carmen, Mexico

To the precious woman I met last night,

I hope that today, as the sun rises again, you feel just a bit lighter. A bit more peace. A softening, even if only in the smallest of ways.

Our encounter was brief, but I know in my bones that it was divine timing. You opened your heart so vulnerably, trusting me with your truth after knowing me only minutes — and in doing so, you gave me a gift I wasn’t expecting.

You reminded me of my own journey. You reflected back the road I’ve traveled these past few years, the parts of me that have struggled, softened, cracked open, and healed.

The truth is, like you, I have also held dark emotions close to my chest, afraid of what might happen if I let them see the light. I’ve buried pain beneath busyness. I’ve hidden sadness behind strength. I’ve worn shame like armor, believing I had to hold it all together.

But here’s what I’ve learned — and what I shared with you last night, from one tender heart to another:
The parts of us we fear the most, the ones we keep buried and locked away… they aren’t here to destroy us. They are asking to be seen. To be held. To be honored with compassion, not shame.

When we can move toward those tender places — the grief, the anger, the heartbreak — with gentle love, something incredible happens: they soften. They stop feeling so scary. The weight begins to lift. And in their place, space opens for something new to bloom.

It takes courage to face these parts of ourselves. But this, I believe, is the real work of life. The work of learning to love the whole of who we are — not just the bright, shiny pieces, but the messy, aching, beautiful-in-their-own-way shadows, too.

So, to you, new friend — and to anyone who might see themselves in this story — please hear me when I say:
You are not broken.
You are not too much.
You are not alone.

You are worthy of peace.
You are worthy of softness.
You are worthy of a fresh beginning.

Thank you for sharing your heart with me last night. Thank you for reminding me how far I’ve come, and for showing me the mirror of your own strength and possibility. I see you. I honor you. I believe in what’s possible for you.

And I believe in what’s possible for all of us when we choose to meet ourselves with love.

With my whole heart,
Amy