I knew deep in my heart that I wanted to share my life with a man who loved me, even though I had no idea how to make that happen.

I thought I was too old to believe in true love or marriage or to have the beautiful wedding I’d always wanted.

But I decided that none of that mattered as much as the fact that I really wanted this and couldn't make myself stop.

So I dried my tears, went out and bought myself a ring.

I put on the wedding gown I’d bought several years before, went into my tiny bathroom and married myself in the mirror.

I made a promise to myself that I would create the life I really wanted and that life would include the loving relationship I longed for.

I decided that I was worth it and my dreams mattered.

My husband took that ring off my finger the day we married, but I still have it to this day as a reminder of the promise I made to myself.