your vulnerability can help save a strangers life...

I made a video about my breakup and I got a really powerful direct message from a stranger and I want to share her story with you. Hey Safi, I just wanted to send you a voice message to say thank you for connecting with me earlier in October and to tell you that I'm so moved by what you did for Jacob. I loved following that story. I've loved following your work for quite some time but I really want to say that to me there's been such a big difference in your in your page and your content I'm very content. because you're coming forward more and that is Beautiful. One of the things that's really great about your content is that, you know, we get to see through your eyes, but now we also get to see your eyes. I don't know. I don't know if that makes sense. And then, so I just wanted to say. I did. I made it out. I got my own place. Working things out, figuring things out. But big, big deal. And then finally, how about that blue wave? How about that? I am just feeling really grateful right now for this moment in America, because it has been, it's been pretty dark for a while. And I think we can all see and feel the light. Anyway, I digress. Or maybe I just ramble. But I, uh... Just wanted to reach out and say thank you, man. I hope you're doing well. Keep doing good work. You really make a difference in people's lives. Like, just your work alone. But the fact that some random person, me, messaged you on Instagram and you, like, took the time to send a voice message, thank you. Anyway, have a beautiful day and I'll catch you on the flip side. I asked her permission if I could post her. Voice note, to think that you being vulnerable can help someone else fight for their life. That's a cool feeling because I was so scared to share my story because, you know, I felt guilty and I'm like, who am I? What if my version of the story is wrong? What if her version is right? What if I'm crazy? And also I wanted to post my story because I didn't want to go back. I wanted to explode and destroy the bridge. And posting that video made me accountable to not going back. I am just a stranger on the internet, but I wanted you to know that in this moment, I am standing with you and holding your pain with you. I can't find the words, but sometimes words aren't needed. There is an understanding, a horrible knowledge that only those who have lived in that nightmare between love and abuse can understand. Those of us who know what it's like to love someone so much, but when you look in the mirror, you don't even recognize your own face. You see the blood and the bruises and scars. And even then, when it's so bad, you honestly couldn't say which is worse, the physical Thank you. abuse and humiliation. Why do some of us find ourselves here? My mother and father have asked me the same thing, shared the same heartbreak that your mother shared with you. God, that kills me. I love my family so much, but I hardly see them because I don't want to upset my partner. I don't want to pay that price. Over the last few days I've come to accept that if I don't escape, if I don't leave and stay gone, the abuse will only escalate. This cycle will just go on forever. Then I opened Instagram and your video was the first thing I saw. You are a beautiful, strong soul. Thank you very much. You capture magic with your photography. You know the type of love you deserve and I admire you so much for claiming that.