GAH! I’m so excited to show you all my new tattoo now that it is finished! Your girl is in love 😍

This is the first piece to my next project, which I have dubbed ‘The Fallout Calf’. For those unfamiliar with the franchise, this piece comes from the Fallout 4. In that installment, you have the oppurtunity to side with 4 different factions. For me, I sided with a faction called the Railroad. I won’t get into specifics as to who they are or why I sided with them, as not to make this post super long. Just know that I loved siding with the Railroad, and I really loved gaining the goofy spy named Deacon as a companion from doing so…..even if he does lie alot.

To show love for my favorite faction and one of my favorite companions, I pictured this up and @nkslinger made it happen. The lantern and the ‘Ally’ Railsign are for the faction itself, while the note and the rad shades are for the even more rad Deacon. 😎

My mom surprised me at work the other day with my very own Sam!

Though we are married now and there some people that believe you should only celebrate your wedding anniversary, I beg to differ. It all had to start somewhere, and in my opinion that date is just as important. That is why I choose to remember, celebrate and cherish the date that marked the very first page of our amazing story.

Our story began on this day 6 years ago. What started out as a great friendship turned into an even better relationship. We had become boyfriend and girlfriend, and through the strength of our bond and our love for one another, we continued on with our relationship until becoming husband and wife just last year.

In these past six years, I have smiled and laughed more than I ever have in my life. We've been to so many places, seen many things, formed a little family of our own, and have made great memories together. There is no one else I would have wanted at my side throughout those years, and there is no one else I want at my side as we move forwar.

I love you, Anthony. Thank you for all you do and for being mine. Happy Anniversary! 🖤

What a beautiful thing it is to be able to stand tall and say, “I fell apart, and I survived”.

~~~

I may not be feeling my best physically today, but I am mentally and emotionally. Today marks 6 years of me being clean. It’s been 6 whole years since I decided to make a decision that would change my life - I decided to get help.

For years after my sexual assault, I struggled with myself. When you are in the situation that I was in, coming out about it is very terrifying. I did not report it when it had happened, and today my biggest regret is wishing that I had. Holding that in lead to the darkest years of my life: repeated actions, depression, anxiety, self harm, and ultimately suicide attempts.

At some point during the early part of 2012, my secret had been exposed unintentionally. When my family found out, they immediately stood by my side and took me to the police to file a report. Unfortunately, my visit there did not go as planned and the way I was treated made me scared to go back, which is another moment I regret.

Not fighting for myself because of the fear I still had only made me get worse. By the time December of 2012 rolled around, I was in the worst mental state of my life and wanted to end it all. I had made a plan and a note, and trusted a friend at the time to only open and deliver said note to my loved ones after a certain day. Thankfully, she did not listen to me and that night I was submitted to a hospital in Richmond. That night, my life changed for the better.

Though I lay here tonight not feeling well, I can’t help but smile as I think about all I have accomplished in the past 6 years. I restored an amazing friendship, travelled to new places, met famous people, accomplished great things, and married the love of my life (who is one of my biggest supporters). But most importantly, I got help and learned to be happy…and to think I could’ve missed out on all of that is crazy.

Please don’t be afraid to speak out or get help. There may be people who won’t believe you or listen, but you will always find support somewhere and that, along with your health and happiness, is what matters. Always keep fighting.