For the past year and a half, I’ve had a greeting card hanging on my refrigerator. It was sent to me only days after leaving my marriage from my beautiful and amazing godmother. The front of the card says, “Your strength may surprise you.” The inside says, “The rest of us already know.”
I’ve taken this card off the refrigerator many times in the past year and a half. But today, it set in. Finally. Watching Oprah, Whitney Houston performed her new song “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength.” She sang, “I was not built to break.” And in the performance she said “my momma told me, Dionne told me, Clive told me, Oprah told me…I was not built to break.”
So many people have said those words to me in hundreds of different ways over the past year and a half. And in all that time, I didn’t. Whitney sings, “And I crashed down, and I tumbled. But I did not crumble.” I did not crumble.
My best friend said something to me last night that spun me around. She congratulated me for wearing my heart on my sleeve – something she and my other close friends know I’ve never been able to do…to be honest about feelings and unafraid.
My godmother Lisa wrote this on the inside of the card so many months ago. “Don’t forget you are a beautiful, talented, independent and strong woman. Don’t ever stop believing in yourself.” I don’t remember what I thought when I read those words the first time. But I know what I feel today. She said “don’t forget” – but the truth is, I never knew. I didn’t know my own strength, or beauty or talent or independence. I do now. Physically, emotionally, mentally. I know my strength.
I toasted my friend on Sunday night for being there for me through the past few years. And yesterday, when over 500 people read my blog on a day I bore my heart on my sleeve, I realized how many people have been there to witness me learning what everyone else knew.
Thank you!
About the Author: Marcy Twete
Marcy Twete is the Founder and CEO of Career Girl Network and the author of the book “You Know Everybody! A Career Girl’s Guide to Building a Network That Works.” At Career Girl Network, Marcy provides women with information, resources, and networking to empower them in their careers and to advance the work of women in business as a whole. Prior to launching Career Girl Network, Marcy worked in numerous nonprofit organizations and as a consultant in the field of nonprofit fundraising, marketing, and community relations. Marcy is a graduate of the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph, Minnesota, and a native of rural North Dakota. She is the Vice Chair of the Chicago Board of Directors for Step Up Women’s Network in Chicago and a member of the Advisory Board for Girls on the Run Twin Cities, and is dedicated to advancing the work of organizations that move the needle for women and girls worldwide.
This may seem random and strange, but that's ok…Hopefully you remember me..we went to high school together and I've been reading your blog since the beginning of the summer(found it through your facebook page).
I wanted to let you know that even back in high school I knew how strong you were. There was never a moment that defined it, but just seeing you with other people, how you were always yourself and never tried to be something you weren't, was telling enough for me. I've truely enjoyed reading your blog…you are wise beyond your years and am so impressed with your drive, ambition and of course your fashion
Kudos to you!!
Laura Suedbeck (formerly Laura Otis)
Oh, Laura. Thank you! That means so much to me. It's been a journey these past few years – and connecting through this blog with friends from high school often reminds me of the person I was then and how she's so much like me now.