dear white belt, 

When I first met you, you were stripe-less and perfectly white, and I was perfectly lost and broken. I was younger then, had no idea the lessons you were about to teach me. Lessons like what healthy coaches and influential men look like, and how to strangle unhealthy ones. You taught me how to be part of, and lead a powerful team of badass women. You taught me that if you have authentic community in this life, you can roll through anything. The lesson of hard work equals success. When life zigs, we zag. You can cry through it all…but you don’t get to quit. You gave me permission to be a beginner every single day. You gave me the space to fight fights I never deserved. 

When we met, I was tattoo-less. I believed I’d be with him forever. Thrive didn’t have an address. The Storm wasn’t a thing. The tribe I call my own was nothing but a movie made dream. Everything has changed. I changed a little bit every time I tied you around my waist. 

We have cried together, won together, lost together, healed together, bled together, worked through triggers together. Thank you for reminding me of how far I’ve come. Thank you for humbling me. Thank you for kicking my ass weekly. 

Signed, 

Siren the Deceitful