A boy with a heart of gold, an infectious laugh, and an attitude of spun sugar said he liked me today but he has a glowing aura and I'm afraid. What if my dark one tarnished his? What if my baggage is too heavy or doesn't match his? Momma Ashe, I'm scared

Baby, you are not a burden. You are not a dark spot. You are not a stain or a swamp. You are the pillar of light who couldn’t reach all the way to the sun but kept trying. For all you’ve been made to feel like clenched fists, you are still open palms. Maybe he’ll put his heart in them and maybe he won’t, but they will always be deserving of love. 

You will always be deserving of love.