This one’s for you, Shanna. This is a love letter to you, my friend.
My amazingly talented friend, who was the very first person to introduce me to the concept of RADICAL SELF-LOVE.
If I hadn’t met Shanna, I probably wouldn’t be doing what I do today.
Growing up in a people-pleaser culture, I had based my worth on how happy I made others around me my entire life. I had never learned it was okay to put myself first. I believed that my needs were selfish and to put myself first was unkind.
UNTIL I MET SHANNA.
She spoiled me and loved to surprise and delight me. One time I went to visit her, she greeted me with a hot bubble bath, a glass of wine, and a hostess gift basket full of my favorite snacks, artisan chocolate, fresh flowers (and even a little travel vibrator🤣). She insisted I unwind in a long bath with my choice of music to relax after a treacherous travel day before we dove into one of our 4-hour long conversations about life, the universe, and everything.
She was an amazing listener and would empathetically listen to any trouble, large or small, with a little “Oh, sweet pea!” (also how she greeted every dog in the world). Of course, it wouldn’t be Shanna if she didn’t give a dose of tough love along way! We didn’t do small talk. Conversations were meaningful, deep, intellectual and full of ALL the feels. She also introduced me to the value and importance of therapy. Sheesh! Where had that been my entire laugh. The things I’ve learned about myself in the past decade are monumental thanks to that.
Not only was Shanna the person who taught me to practice RADICAL SELF-LOVE, she was THE BIGGEST David Bowie fan of all time. That’s why I brought Bowie vibes into the identity of this movement. She would love everything about this!!
She was a self-made, talented author of a book entitled, “Oh, You Pretty Things” (a hat tip to her favorite Bowie song). You can read about it on Vanity Fair’s website by clicking on the photo below. I can hear that loud cackle laugh of hers in this photo I took of her and it still makes me smile to this day.
This woman demonstrated what it’s like to shine your light out on the world.
Her presence took up space in a room, unapologetically. She had a HUGE personality—boisterous laugh, outspoken, funny as hell, smart as fuck, and would ALWAYS stand up for what was right. If you were on her “HOME TEAM“, as she called it, she’d boldly defend you to the ends of the earth in any situation and be your posse.
I miss you every day, Shanna, but I think of you every single time I practice an act of RADICAL SELF-LOVE and lead others to the same for themselves.
I wouldn’t be who I am today or have impacted 100’s of women without having met you. You created a ripple effect that has in turn affected 1000’s of people in the world. THANK YOU.
I hope you’re reading your favorite novel in the cosmos with that little schwarmy look of mischief.
This movement is dedicated to you, my friend. Love you always!
BE A PART OF SOMETHING BIGGER
