44 Comments
User's avatar
Isabella Rosario's avatar

so many white-hot flashes of genius here

Valerie's avatar

isabella ❤️❤️❤️

zsofi borsi's avatar

i cannot tell you how much i needed to read these words right now. it's everything i feel and more. thank you.

Valerie's avatar

i'm sending you all the love! i hope things clear up soon (they will) 💓

Miep 💥's avatar

Terrific essay. Thanks so much. Resonates so hard.

Valerie's avatar

thank you so, so much for reading ❤️

Kamela from The Back Row's avatar

You always have such a beautiful way with words 👏

Valerie's avatar

that means a lot! thank you!

sarah cucchiara's avatar

this is one of my favorite things you’ve written

Valerie's avatar

sarahhhhhh no way im gonna cry

Priya's avatar

Love love looove this so much. Can’t believe it’s been so long since i looked through my copy of crush. Kindness has been on my mind this past week so this was an absolute delight to read :)

Valerie's avatar

Crush is otherworldly. thank you so much Priya ❤️

Maria Polansky's avatar

Wow, thank you. I really needed this today 🤍 also, baristas that give you on the house treats when they see that you're down are the real MVPs.

Valerie's avatar

I'm glad it found you at the right time <3 they're the best.. wish i could go back bearing gifts

Dia Lupo's avatar

“And what a gift it is to notice all the lifeboats.“ 🌟

Sara's avatar

beautiful, stunning, heart warming, made me want to cry happy tears, i want to be your friend <3

Valerie's avatar

love you sara, i'm so happy it resonated! we're officially friends now

Carole Kupper's avatar

This was splendid, the way I swallowed every word and enjoyed their bittersweet taste

Valerie's avatar

❤️❤️❤️ thank you Carole! you're so real as always!

Narae's avatar

Last sentence, I am dyingggg

Valerie's avatar

🥐👯‍♀️?

faith zapata's avatar

i love you so much wow

Valerie's avatar

i love you !!!!

Molly Schmidt's avatar

Astonishing, said with tears.

Valerie's avatar

Molly! thank you so much for reading ❤️

Caroline Beuley's avatar

Oh Valerie! You've done it again! I for one cannot believe you handled yourself with such composure at Tender Summer when you were dealing with all this behind the scenes, but I so admire your determination to look for the kindness, to find what's good and beautiful amongst the mess. Love this and love you!

Valerie's avatar

Caroline!!! you are sunshine personified, your presence cheered me up <3