Connected Stories
By: Brittany Horchner
Trigger Warning: Suicidal Thoughts
As I am sitting here thinking about this month’s writing, what comes to mind is how stories are connected. So Worth Loving started with one person’s journey and today, houses thousands of stories, helping others know that they are loved. One of the stories that is housed in So Worth Loving is mine.
As I am thinking about my story intertwined with So Worth Loving’s, a quote comes to mind. Brooke Davis in the show One Tree Hill said, “People are gonna label you. It’s how you overcome those labels, that’s what matters.” To some that might seem like an odd quote to connect the bridge between So Worth Loving’s story and mine, but that quote describes it best.
For me, my story of overcoming labels began in eighth grade. The middle school years tend to be challenging as one is undergoing many changes as well as establishing one’s social identity. Before eighth grade, life was going well, but things took a change. Bullying occurred and labels were put on me that I still do not know. It was difficult for me to believe I was worthy of love because everyone at school looked at me differently because of those labels. There were times that I even thought that life was not even worth living anymore because I felt so unloved and unwanted.
Before I continue, I want to stop and add a couple of things. If you can relate and are thinking that the world would be better off without you, I want you to know that there are people that care about you. You are loved and there will be better days. Sometimes life looks a little dark before it gets better, but I am asking you to stay to see tomorrow.
In the moments that I felt like others would be better off without me, God placed people in my life to speak truth. In 2015, I found this company called So Worth Loving on Instagram and fell head over heels with the message. The message of So Worth Loving resonated so deeply with me as there were moments that I let the label of unloved and unwanted define me rather than what God tells me. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son.” That verse reminds me that God loves me and the rest of humanity. The story of So Worth Loving intertwined in mine when it helped to remind myself and others that we are worthy of love. It helped to remind me that those labels that once defined me do not have to define me any longer because I am loved.
The story and message of So Worth Loving resonated so deeply with me that in January 2016 I decided to get a permanent reminder. In January 2016 I got SWL tattooed on my wrist as a reminder to me of the labels I have to overcome as well as the truth that God says about me. Another purpose behind the tattoo is that when others notice the three letters on my left wrist, I can stop and share my story and how it is intertwined with that of So Worth Loving. If I were to talk with anyone reading this, I am sure that you have a story that in some way has intertwined with the story of So Worth Loving. I would like to encourage you to share that story. Also, I would like you to remember that people will label you, but it is the overcoming of the labels that matter. Despite labels that have been put on you, you are still worthy of love.
Rebecca Brown on 5/9/2021 6:48:05 PM
I absolutely love that you have a SWL tattoo. What an amazing reminder for you and conversation starter! Thank you for choosing to be so vulnerable, because this really touched my heart. Labeling is something so sensitive to me, and this gave me such encouragement!