To those who meet her, she seems very much the beautiful soul, happy and carefree.
There's a twinkle in her eye and a lightness to her laugh that many find irresistible.
Always smiling, she always seems to be the one that is the life of the party - gregarious, fun-loving, and free-spirited.
And that's exactly the person that she wants the world to see.
This old soul and loving-hearted person has a very different side that she hides away behind the highest walls...
A part of her that's saved her in so many ways on so many days that she doesn't know how she'd ever survive without the warrior spirit and ironclad will that is the fuel for her fire.
She's had to fight and claw through some of her toughest times, and she couldn't do that as a delicate and bubbly flower... No, she needed something much different to rise out of the ashes of life's fires...
She needed the heart of a warrior, unstoppable and determined... so that's what she became.
Not out of choice or desire, but out of necessity.
She did what she had to do to keep on going, to emerge from the darkest days.
Most will never understand that about her, and they don't have to.
Those closest to her - the ones that have her love, trust, and confidence.
They know of the dichotomy of this warrior wildflower... and they love her for every bit of her beautiful soul and courageous heart.
So while the world applauds the wildflower, her people celebrate both parts of this wonderful woman.
She's the toughest version of kind and beautiful...
She'll inspire you, she'll walk beside you, she'll fight for you and, most of all, she'll love you unconditionally.
That's the rare and beautiful thing that is a strong woman.
