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Today is my 32nd birthday and if there’s anythin Today is my 32nd birthday and if there’s anything I’ve learned in my last year that I want to take with me into this year, it’s this:

I make my own magic 🪄

I am capable of creating, crafting, and designing this next chapter of life to be whatever I want. Infertility cannot stop me anymore. And I can’t wait.

#heytherechelsie #myvibrantlife #harrypotterworldorlando #birthdaywish #lifeafterinfertility #childlessnotbychoice #ttccommunity #lifeaftermiscarriage
Happy birthday to my ride-or-die and bff for life Happy birthday to my ride-or-die and bff for life @ericaligenza. To have her in your life means you have the most loyal, inspiring, and generous friend that you would ever ask for. I can’t believe that this little app brought us together (with our girl @blondeandambitiousblog) so many years ago. Grateful that they both turned out to be real people (lol) and women who have held me up during the hardest times of my adult life. 

Hope you have the best day, E! Counting down the days until we are together again! ❤️

#heytherechelsie #myvibrantlife #friendsforkeeps #instagramfriends #marchbirthday #friendshipbracelets #bffgoals👭
We fix each other’s crowns instead of pointing o We fix each other’s crowns instead of pointing out they are crooked. 👑 

To the women to always have my back, who inspire me daily to level up, who cry with me, who cheer me on, who save a seat at the table for me, and who keep fighting the good fight - I love you. You keep my world vibrant, and keep me going on my hardest days. 

Happy International Women’s Day!

#womensmonth #internationalwomensday #girlganggoals #girlgangs #womenhelpingwomen #squad❤️
2021 felt like a dumpster fire that burned out of 2021 felt like a dumpster fire that burned out of control about 90% of the time. Between a cancer scare that resulted in countless scans and blood tests, failed infertility treatments that broke our hearts every time, no matter how much we tried not to get our hopes up, and then the devastating blow that I needed to have a total hysterectomy and thus ending any hopes we had of starting our family - I felt like my life and my hopes and my dreams for our future had been reduced to a pile of ash. 

It feels surreal, to be starting the new year feeling so grateful for where 2021 left me. For the first time in four years, I have energy, motivation, and can actually get out of bed without being in extreme pain. I can actually think beyond the next 24 hours and make plans that I can follow through on. My life doesn’t revolve around iron transfusions, cycle tracking, or the anxiety that comes with the two week wait. 

What’s been even more surreal is to be able to say that I have been finding more acceptance and purpose in our new childless future and life. If I can’t have the life I planned on, then I’m going to live the hell out of the life I have instead. Dustin and I are rebuilding our futures both separately and together, and for the first time in four years, I’m excited to see what comes next for us. I feel more steady in this new life and more sure of the path we’re on then ever before. 

For in order to rise from its own ashes, 
A phoenix must first burn. 

2021 burned me. 
So I’m 2022, I will rise. 

#heytherechelsie #myvibrantlife #childlessnotbychoice #childlessafterinfertility #lifeafterinfertility #findingpurpose #ttccommunity #infertilityawareness #jamaicavacation #wordoftheyear #ttcsupport
Endlessly grateful for being 6 weeks post op from Endlessly grateful for being 6 weeks post op from my total hysterectomy and feeling more like myself than I have in over a year. And I’m endlessly grateful for this guy - who has been my rock through every doctor’s appointment, every procedure, and every day I couldn’t get out of bed. Not only that, he is the sweetest, most tender uncle to our nieces that I could ever hope or ask for to share our girls with.
Just grateful for my health and my love and the hope for better days.

#heytherechelsie #myvibrantlife #ttccommunity #hysterectomy #hysterectomyrecovery #ttcjourney #husbandwife #ttcsupport #infertilitysucks
You are the keeper of all my secrets, the guardian You are the keeper of all my secrets, the guardian against all my fears, and the safe place I call home. 

Grateful to have you by my side as we walk into an unknown future that neither of us were prepared to face. But every day we walk further down our new road, I find more solid footing and more hope for what’s to come, because you keep me grounded through the waves of grief.

I love you. ❤️

#heytherechelsie #myvibrantlife #hysterectomy #childlessnotbychoice #ttccommunity #childless #adenomyosis #ttcjourney #infertilityawareness
I’m officially three weeks post hysterectomy tod I’m officially three weeks post hysterectomy today and was feeling well enough to shoot the holiday campaign photos for @shopmscb (with the help from my partner in crime, @kenzie_peach)

In fact, I told my surgeon last week at my first post-op appointment that I’m actually feeling the best I’ve felt ALL year. And I mean, that’s saying something since I was only two weeks post-op then, right? 

Even though the decision to go through with the hysterectomy felt impossibly hard to make, I know now that I made the right choice for me, my sanity, and my body. I feel more like me in the last week than I have in over a year. It’s like I’m waking up from a long, painful, dark hibernation and my world is starting to fill with vibrant colors again.

And even though I’m still sad it had to come to this, I am also feeling excited for what’s to come.

#heytherechelsie #myvibrantlife #hysterectomy #hysterectomyrecovery #childlessnotbychoice #ttccommunity #infertilityawareness #infertilitywarrior #ttccommunity
There’s been a little more laughter in our home There’s been a little more laughter in our home lately. Snuggles and kisses and staying up way too late watching Netflix. It’s like the worst is behind us and we’re on the other side of what we’ve been dreading and the darkness that has covered us for so long is starting to lift. It doesn’t mean we’re 100% okay, but we can feel the light and the hope for the future and we’re choosing to face it hand-in-hand, together. 

And every night, you whisper to me: “This isn’t your fault. You’re my best friend. I love you more today than ever before. We’re going to live a beautiful life together.” And every night, we grow a little bit closer and our hearts mend a little more, and I know deep in my bones, that we’re going to be okay.

I love you, Dustin.

#ttccommunity #ttcjourney #hysterectomy #childfreenotbychoice #childfreeafterinfertility #infertilityawareness #infertilitysucks #healingafterinfertility

Hey There, Chelsie

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Lifestyle + Personal

5 Must-Haves for your New Puppy

This post was sponsored by The Naked Dog Box. All Opinions Are My Own. 

5 Must-Haves for your New Puppy featuring The Naked Dog Box // Hey There, Chelsie

I cannot believe that Teddy has been a member of our little family since the end of April and I have yet to officially introduce him here on HTC! Granted, we brought Teddy home two days after Dustin had his emergency surgery in Boston, and three weeks after we closed on our house, so we were a little distracted at the time.

Now that Teddy has been around for some time, I wanted to share his sweet little face here on the blog and share some of my tried and true tricks for bringing a new puppy home for the first time. Since Teddy is the second puppy we’ve brought home, I’d like to think we’ve gained a fair amount of knowledge on how to adapt and prepare for a new puppy.

Why we decided to get a second pup

Dustin and I have always wanted to get a second dog so that our Rosie Roo would have a pal to spend time with. Rosie suffered from the worst separation anxiety the first year of her life, and while we have gotten that under control, we knew that a friend could really help her not feel so lonely when we had to leave. However, since we were moving SO much and we didn’t have a yard, we knew we had to wait for a second dog until we were more settled.

If you’ve been around these parts for a while (and have followed me on Snapchat for some time) you’ll know that I spent last summer taking care of our friend’s dog, Cooper. Cooper is an apricot golden doodle, and boy, did he steal my heat. He is as SWEET as they come and the snuggliest, goofiest, happiest dog I’ve ever met. I wasn’t the only one smitten by Cooper Trooper. Rosie was the happiest I had ever seen her because she had Cooper over every day to play with. They wrestled. They played tug. They spooned each other on the bed. And, Rosie never whined when we left her to go out to the movies because she had Cooper to be with her.

After last summer, we knew two things: we were going to get a second dog as soon as it was logical for us to, and it would be a golden doodle.

Meet Teddy

Teddy is a Teddy-Bear Goldendoodle (hence his name!) Teddy bear doodles are half poodle, half English Cream golden retrievers (the white ones.) Dustin wanted to surprise me with a puppy for my birthday (a week after we closed on our house) but decided to tell me he wanted to get me one so we could pick one out together. We decided not to bring a puppy home until after my sister’s wedding in April but wanted to look at a few pups before we left on our trip to get an idea of what was out there. Teddy was the first puppy we went to see and it was love at first sight. He came right in, plopped down right in front of us, and kicked his legs straight out behind him. We went to look at two other puppies that day, but we knew that Teddy was the one for us and went back the next day to put a deposit down on him. Thankfully, the breeders agreed to hang on to him while we went home to Boston for the wedding and we were able to bring him home after that.

5 Must-Haves for Bringing a New Puppy Home // Hey There, Chelsie

Teddy is now 7 months old, and he. is. a. hoot. He reminds me of Cooper in so many ways but has his own very distinct personality. Teddy LOVES the hair dryer, he drinks water like he is a camel, he is undecided about the vacuum (but usually wants to fight it) and he is obsessed with his big sister, Rosie. He loves to chase laser lights, puts his paw on your face when he wants pets, and has only chewed up my college diploma.

Rosie took about two weeks to warm up to the idea of Teddy. Cooper was one thing, but a bouncy puppy was another. However, we only had one incident where Rosie got too grumpy, and after two weeks, it was clear that they had bonded. They are always together, always wrestling, sharing toys, and (much to my dismay) digging holes in the backyard.

5 Must-Have Items for your New Puppy featuring The Naked Dog Box // Hey There, Chelsie

I’ve always said that bringing home Rosie was the best thing we’ve ever done in our marriage and I still stand by that. But bringing home Teddy was the best thing we could have done for Rosie, and in turn, makes our family a little more complete.

5 Must-Haves for your New Puppy

Kennel/crate – The easiest way to house-train your puppy is through crate training! When we first brought Rosie home, we didn’t know how important crates were going to be for her – I thought it was mean of us to put her in a crate when she was such a social creature. Because we didn’t start crate training right away, we dealt with a lot of accidents. We knew that we were not going to run into that issue a second time, so

Dogs are den-creatures, so they crave having a space to call their own. They will never have an accident in a space that they consider their den, because who wants to sleep in that? Crate training is essential because it helps a puppy have a space where they learn to hold their tinkle. Eventually, they start to learn that the whole house is their den and not want to have accidents anywhere in the house!

Crate training is also really important because it keeps your puppy safe when you are gone. They won’t be able to get into anything they shouldn’t be in when you are away.

We love our collapsible wire kennel we got from Amazon because it’s easy to break down and move around the house or take with us on a trip.

5 Must-Haves for your Puppy featuring The Naked Dog Box // Hey There, Chelsie

Treat Puzzle Toys – How do you keep a puppy busy during the day when you are trying to get stuff done and can’t be watching their every move? Puzzle toys!

Puzzle toys usually have some kind of hole or nook to hide a treat in that the puppy has to figure out how to get out.  Teddy is a super busy puppy and is prone to pull books out of my bookshelves to chew up when he doesn’t have anything else to do. We have several treat toys, including this one by KONG called the KONG Genius toy, that keeps Teddy out of trouble. When I’m working in my office, I’ll put some treats into his puzzle toy and he will work on getting the treat out for hoursss. Plus, puzzle toys are great ways to challenge your puppy to use their brains and problem solve!

Another treat toy that has been ESSENTIAL to our pups has been the standard KONG! We stuff them with peanut butter or cream cheese and freeze them so that it takes them longer to lick the treat out. Teddy only gets his peanut butter KONG when he goes into his kennel, which made crate training him super easy because he learned that he got a yummy treat every time he went into it!

Puppy Kibble – We had NO idea that there was so much to consider when choosing puppy kibble when we first brought Rosie home. We had her on the cheap IAMS puppy kibble for the first few months of her life and just thought that it was normal for puppies to constantly have the runs. NEWSFLASH – It’s not.

Our puppy trainer taught us how important it was for us to look at the ingredients when choosing a puppy kibble. A lot of the cheap kibble contain ingredients like chicken by-product or corn meal as the first ingredient, with a lot of fillers and unnecessary additives. This means that the majority of the kibble is made up of mashed-up bones from chicken or corn meal – neither of which is nutritious or good for your puppy.

We now look at every bag of puppy kibble and make sure that the ingredients are nothing but REAL food. It’s amazing at the difference that real ingredients can make for a dog. Both Rosie and Teddy’s coats are shinier and softer and their energy levels are consistent. Plus, no more runs, which is ALL the praise hands for this puppy mama.

The Naked Dog Box review - 5 must-have items for your new puppy, including this amazing puppy kibble brand // Hey There, Chelsie

When we brought Teddy home, we decided to try out The Naked Dog Box, courtesy of the kind people over there. The Naked Dog Box is a dog food subscription service, where you can have grain-free, gluten-free, nutritious dog food without any fillers or additives delivered to your door every two weeks.

How does it work? Simply go to The Naked Dog Box website and click the “Get Started.” You will answer 5 questions about your dog’s age, activity levels, and weight. This helps the people at The Naked Dog Box pick out the ideal formula for your dog!

How much does it cost? Shipping is free and subscriptions start at $18.00 every two weeks for a bag of food, which is actually right on par (and even a bit cheaper) compared to other grain-free dog foods.

Does Teddy like the food? See for yourself in the video below!

 

Paw Wax – Puppy paw pads can be pretty delicate and tender and if you aren’t careful, your puppy can tear up their paw pads! We were so excited to bring Rosie home and take her for walks that she had torn up her paw pad within the first week of having her! We definitely didn’t make that mistake with Teddy and bought a big tub of Musher’s Secret Wax to apply every couple days. This product was actually formulated to be used on sled-dogs to protect their paws, and creates a barrier between the paw pad and other surfaces while adding moisture to the pads to make sure they don’t crack!

Microchip – This is something you will need to ask your vet about at your first puppy check up but I cannot stress enough the importance of getting your new puppy micro-chipped. A microchip is a small chip that is given to your pup through a shot. It sits under their skin and, when scanned by a special scanner, will bring up the owner’s contact information.

Before Dustin and I were able to have dogs, we spent a year volunteering at the local animal shelter every weekend. I can’t tell you how many dogs came through the shelter that were CLEARLY someone’s pet, but had no identification because they weren’t wearing a collar when they got lost and didn’t have a microchip.

Having a microchip gives us peace of mind to know that if Teddy ever got out and was brought to a shelter, the animal control officers would be able to contact us and help us get Teddy back home.


Bringing a puppy home can be scary, overwhelming, and, I’ll be honest, it’s a crap ton of work. However, I can’t imagine life without our dogs. They truly complete our little family and have taught me so much about sacrifice, patience, and unconditional love. That’s why I want to make sure I give them the very best, including the best puppy kibble!

Do you have a pup? What are your must-haves for him or her?

9 Comments · Written On:August 16, 2017

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ChelsChats: 2020 Life Update

Chelsie - Hey There Chelsie

Hey there, I’m Chelsie!

Pediatric Cancer Survivor, Infertility Warrior, and Jeep Enthusiast.

I healed my relationship with my body through makeup and clothes and found confidence in living a full and vibrant life through the process.

Whether we’re chatting style tips, makeup tricks, or strategies for personal growth, I’m here to help you find and embrace your inner vibrance.

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Today is my 32nd birthday and if there’s anythin Today is my 32nd birthday and if there’s anything I’ve learned in my last year that I want to take with me into this year, it’s this:

I make my own magic 🪄

I am capable of creating, crafting, and designing this next chapter of life to be whatever I want. Infertility cannot stop me anymore. And I can’t wait.

#heytherechelsie #myvibrantlife #harrypotterworldorlando #birthdaywish #lifeafterinfertility #childlessnotbychoice #ttccommunity #lifeaftermiscarriage
Happy birthday to my ride-or-die and bff for life Happy birthday to my ride-or-die and bff for life @ericaligenza. To have her in your life means you have the most loyal, inspiring, and generous friend that you would ever ask for. I can’t believe that this little app brought us together (with our girl @blondeandambitiousblog) so many years ago. Grateful that they both turned out to be real people (lol) and women who have held me up during the hardest times of my adult life. 

Hope you have the best day, E! Counting down the days until we are together again! ❤️

#heytherechelsie #myvibrantlife #friendsforkeeps #instagramfriends #marchbirthday #friendshipbracelets #bffgoals👭
We fix each other’s crowns instead of pointing o We fix each other’s crowns instead of pointing out they are crooked. 👑 

To the women to always have my back, who inspire me daily to level up, who cry with me, who cheer me on, who save a seat at the table for me, and who keep fighting the good fight - I love you. You keep my world vibrant, and keep me going on my hardest days. 

Happy International Women’s Day!

#womensmonth #internationalwomensday #girlganggoals #girlgangs #womenhelpingwomen #squad❤️
2021 felt like a dumpster fire that burned out of 2021 felt like a dumpster fire that burned out of control about 90% of the time. Between a cancer scare that resulted in countless scans and blood tests, failed infertility treatments that broke our hearts every time, no matter how much we tried not to get our hopes up, and then the devastating blow that I needed to have a total hysterectomy and thus ending any hopes we had of starting our family - I felt like my life and my hopes and my dreams for our future had been reduced to a pile of ash. 

It feels surreal, to be starting the new year feeling so grateful for where 2021 left me. For the first time in four years, I have energy, motivation, and can actually get out of bed without being in extreme pain. I can actually think beyond the next 24 hours and make plans that I can follow through on. My life doesn’t revolve around iron transfusions, cycle tracking, or the anxiety that comes with the two week wait. 

What’s been even more surreal is to be able to say that I have been finding more acceptance and purpose in our new childless future and life. If I can’t have the life I planned on, then I’m going to live the hell out of the life I have instead. Dustin and I are rebuilding our futures both separately and together, and for the first time in four years, I’m excited to see what comes next for us. I feel more steady in this new life and more sure of the path we’re on then ever before. 

For in order to rise from its own ashes, 
A phoenix must first burn. 

2021 burned me. 
So I’m 2022, I will rise. 

#heytherechelsie #myvibrantlife #childlessnotbychoice #childlessafterinfertility #lifeafterinfertility #findingpurpose #ttccommunity #infertilityawareness #jamaicavacation #wordoftheyear #ttcsupport
Endlessly grateful for being 6 weeks post op from Endlessly grateful for being 6 weeks post op from my total hysterectomy and feeling more like myself than I have in over a year. And I’m endlessly grateful for this guy - who has been my rock through every doctor’s appointment, every procedure, and every day I couldn’t get out of bed. Not only that, he is the sweetest, most tender uncle to our nieces that I could ever hope or ask for to share our girls with.
Just grateful for my health and my love and the hope for better days.

#heytherechelsie #myvibrantlife #ttccommunity #hysterectomy #hysterectomyrecovery #ttcjourney #husbandwife #ttcsupport #infertilitysucks
You are the keeper of all my secrets, the guardian You are the keeper of all my secrets, the guardian against all my fears, and the safe place I call home. 

Grateful to have you by my side as we walk into an unknown future that neither of us were prepared to face. But every day we walk further down our new road, I find more solid footing and more hope for what’s to come, because you keep me grounded through the waves of grief.

I love you. ❤️

#heytherechelsie #myvibrantlife #hysterectomy #childlessnotbychoice #ttccommunity #childless #adenomyosis #ttcjourney #infertilityawareness
I’m officially three weeks post hysterectomy tod I’m officially three weeks post hysterectomy today and was feeling well enough to shoot the holiday campaign photos for @shopmscb (with the help from my partner in crime, @kenzie_peach)

In fact, I told my surgeon last week at my first post-op appointment that I’m actually feeling the best I’ve felt ALL year. And I mean, that’s saying something since I was only two weeks post-op then, right? 

Even though the decision to go through with the hysterectomy felt impossibly hard to make, I know now that I made the right choice for me, my sanity, and my body. I feel more like me in the last week than I have in over a year. It’s like I’m waking up from a long, painful, dark hibernation and my world is starting to fill with vibrant colors again.

And even though I’m still sad it had to come to this, I am also feeling excited for what’s to come.

#heytherechelsie #myvibrantlife #hysterectomy #hysterectomyrecovery #childlessnotbychoice #ttccommunity #infertilityawareness #infertilitywarrior #ttccommunity
There’s been a little more laughter in our home There’s been a little more laughter in our home lately. Snuggles and kisses and staying up way too late watching Netflix. It’s like the worst is behind us and we’re on the other side of what we’ve been dreading and the darkness that has covered us for so long is starting to lift. It doesn’t mean we’re 100% okay, but we can feel the light and the hope for the future and we’re choosing to face it hand-in-hand, together. 

And every night, you whisper to me: “This isn’t your fault. You’re my best friend. I love you more today than ever before. We’re going to live a beautiful life together.” And every night, we grow a little bit closer and our hearts mend a little more, and I know deep in my bones, that we’re going to be okay.

I love you, Dustin.

#ttccommunity #ttcjourney #hysterectomy #childfreenotbychoice #childfreeafterinfertility #infertilityawareness #infertilitysucks #healingafterinfertility

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Today is my 32nd birthday and if there’s anythin Today is my 32nd birthday and if there’s anything I’ve learned in my last year that I want to take with me into this year, it’s this:

I make my own magic 🪄

I am capable of creating, crafting, and designing this next chapter of life to be whatever I want. Infertility cannot stop me anymore. And I can’t wait.

#heytherechelsie #myvibrantlife #harrypotterworldorlando #birthdaywish #lifeafterinfertility #childlessnotbychoice #ttccommunity #lifeaftermiscarriage
Happy birthday to my ride-or-die and bff for life Happy birthday to my ride-or-die and bff for life @ericaligenza. To have her in your life means you have the most loyal, inspiring, and generous friend that you would ever ask for. I can’t believe that this little app brought us together (with our girl @blondeandambitiousblog) so many years ago. Grateful that they both turned out to be real people (lol) and women who have held me up during the hardest times of my adult life. 

Hope you have the best day, E! Counting down the days until we are together again! ❤️

#heytherechelsie #myvibrantlife #friendsforkeeps #instagramfriends #marchbirthday #friendshipbracelets #bffgoals👭
We fix each other’s crowns instead of pointing o We fix each other’s crowns instead of pointing out they are crooked. 👑 

To the women to always have my back, who inspire me daily to level up, who cry with me, who cheer me on, who save a seat at the table for me, and who keep fighting the good fight - I love you. You keep my world vibrant, and keep me going on my hardest days. 

Happy International Women’s Day!

#womensmonth #internationalwomensday #girlganggoals #girlgangs #womenhelpingwomen #squad❤️
2021 felt like a dumpster fire that burned out of 2021 felt like a dumpster fire that burned out of control about 90% of the time. Between a cancer scare that resulted in countless scans and blood tests, failed infertility treatments that broke our hearts every time, no matter how much we tried not to get our hopes up, and then the devastating blow that I needed to have a total hysterectomy and thus ending any hopes we had of starting our family - I felt like my life and my hopes and my dreams for our future had been reduced to a pile of ash. 

It feels surreal, to be starting the new year feeling so grateful for where 2021 left me. For the first time in four years, I have energy, motivation, and can actually get out of bed without being in extreme pain. I can actually think beyond the next 24 hours and make plans that I can follow through on. My life doesn’t revolve around iron transfusions, cycle tracking, or the anxiety that comes with the two week wait. 

What’s been even more surreal is to be able to say that I have been finding more acceptance and purpose in our new childless future and life. If I can’t have the life I planned on, then I’m going to live the hell out of the life I have instead. Dustin and I are rebuilding our futures both separately and together, and for the first time in four years, I’m excited to see what comes next for us. I feel more steady in this new life and more sure of the path we’re on then ever before. 

For in order to rise from its own ashes, 
A phoenix must first burn. 

2021 burned me. 
So I’m 2022, I will rise. 

#heytherechelsie #myvibrantlife #childlessnotbychoice #childlessafterinfertility #lifeafterinfertility #findingpurpose #ttccommunity #infertilityawareness #jamaicavacation #wordoftheyear #ttcsupport
Endlessly grateful for being 6 weeks post op from Endlessly grateful for being 6 weeks post op from my total hysterectomy and feeling more like myself than I have in over a year. And I’m endlessly grateful for this guy - who has been my rock through every doctor’s appointment, every procedure, and every day I couldn’t get out of bed. Not only that, he is the sweetest, most tender uncle to our nieces that I could ever hope or ask for to share our girls with.
Just grateful for my health and my love and the hope for better days.

#heytherechelsie #myvibrantlife #ttccommunity #hysterectomy #hysterectomyrecovery #ttcjourney #husbandwife #ttcsupport #infertilitysucks
You are the keeper of all my secrets, the guardian You are the keeper of all my secrets, the guardian against all my fears, and the safe place I call home. 

Grateful to have you by my side as we walk into an unknown future that neither of us were prepared to face. But every day we walk further down our new road, I find more solid footing and more hope for what’s to come, because you keep me grounded through the waves of grief.

I love you. ❤️

#heytherechelsie #myvibrantlife #hysterectomy #childlessnotbychoice #ttccommunity #childless #adenomyosis #ttcjourney #infertilityawareness
I’m officially three weeks post hysterectomy tod I’m officially three weeks post hysterectomy today and was feeling well enough to shoot the holiday campaign photos for @shopmscb (with the help from my partner in crime, @kenzie_peach)

In fact, I told my surgeon last week at my first post-op appointment that I’m actually feeling the best I’ve felt ALL year. And I mean, that’s saying something since I was only two weeks post-op then, right? 

Even though the decision to go through with the hysterectomy felt impossibly hard to make, I know now that I made the right choice for me, my sanity, and my body. I feel more like me in the last week than I have in over a year. It’s like I’m waking up from a long, painful, dark hibernation and my world is starting to fill with vibrant colors again.

And even though I’m still sad it had to come to this, I am also feeling excited for what’s to come.

#heytherechelsie #myvibrantlife #hysterectomy #hysterectomyrecovery #childlessnotbychoice #ttccommunity #infertilityawareness #infertilitywarrior #ttccommunity
There’s been a little more laughter in our home There’s been a little more laughter in our home lately. Snuggles and kisses and staying up way too late watching Netflix. It’s like the worst is behind us and we’re on the other side of what we’ve been dreading and the darkness that has covered us for so long is starting to lift. It doesn’t mean we’re 100% okay, but we can feel the light and the hope for the future and we’re choosing to face it hand-in-hand, together. 

And every night, you whisper to me: “This isn’t your fault. You’re my best friend. I love you more today than ever before. We’re going to live a beautiful life together.” And every night, we grow a little bit closer and our hearts mend a little more, and I know deep in my bones, that we’re going to be okay.

I love you, Dustin.

#ttccommunity #ttcjourney #hysterectomy #childfreenotbychoice #childfreeafterinfertility #infertilityawareness #infertilitysucks #healingafterinfertility

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