12th February 2019
This message was shared with us by Vicky, a survivor of domestic abuse and SafeLives Pioneer.
Valentine’s Day.
Smiling couples, pictures on Instagram saying #blessed and the gifts and cards expressing endless love.
But I see you.
The false smile, the tears hidden behind your well practised pretense and the invisible scars etched on your brain from yet another put down.
Love shouldn’t hurt but it does for you and love seems broken.
I see you, I was just like you and I wish someone had told me this.
You are beautiful, important and deserve to be free, you are enough and you are not alone.
Now you see me, I’m the secret support the person you fear doesn’t need to know about. I am the voice in your brain willing you on, willing you to put one foot in front of the other. I will never ask you to fake a smile or pretend to be happy, I will encourage you to be the person you want to be.
Love is hard but love should never hurt.
Vicky xx
We need your love. Donate the cost of a card or a cheap bottle of fizz, and help us to end domestic abuse this Valentine's Day