My Son's Beautiful Gesture on Valentine's Day

As a parent, there are moments that fill your heart with pride and joy, moments that reaffirm your belief in the goodness of humanity. Yesterday, I had one of those moments, courtesy of my incredible son, Seb.

Valentine's Day can be a time of love and celebration for many, but for others, it can bring feelings of loneliness and inadequacy. Unfortunately, one of the girls in Seb's friend group experienced just that when she was humiliated by a boy she asked to be her Valentine. She was made to feel undesirable and unworthy, a heartbreaking experience for anyone, let alone a young teenager.

In the face of his friend's distress, Seb's response was nothing short of extraordinary. Instead of dismissing her feelings or staying silent, he spoke up with words of reassurance and support. "Absolutely nothing is wrong with you," he told her, offering a glimmer of hope in her moment of darkness.

But Seb didn't stop there. He recognized that Valentine's Day isn't just about romantic love—it's about celebrating all forms of love and spreading kindness to those around us. With this in mind, he suggested we visit a shop to purchase a piece of jewelry that supports the cause of ending human trafficking, a cause close to both our hearts ( I have been telling him about this lately).

As we browsed through the selection, Seb carefully chose a piece that symbolized hope and empowerment. With a determined look in his eyes, he wrote a heartfelt note to his friend, urging her to "hold onto hope and know your worth—I see it." It was a simple yet profound message, a reminder that she is valued and loved just as she is.

Witnessing Seb's compassion and empathy in action brought tears to my eyes. In a world that can sometimes feel cold and indifferent, his warmth and kindness is illuminating the darkness around him. He may only be a teenager, but his heart is already so full of love and understanding.

As a parent, I couldn't be prouder of the young man he is becoming. Seb's beautiful gesture serves as a powerful reminder that even the smallest acts of kindness can make a world of difference to those in need. May we all strive to follow his example and spread love and compassion wherever we go.

This Valentine's Day, let us remember that love knows no bounds, and kindness has the power to change lives. And to my son Seb, thank you for being the embodiment of love and compassion in this world. You are truly a treasure to behold.

So I am inspired to say to everyone reading this happy valentines day, have hope and know your worth. 

Love,

Yvie