I committed myself to finding a wonderful man no matter what.

Even though I was in my mid-40s and had raised four kids alone.

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

I decided that none of that mattered as much as the fact that I wanted to share my life with someone who loved me.

So I dried my tears and marched myself over to Tiffany’s 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.

And then I made some big changes.

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.