For This Valentine’s Day, Terriers Send Love Notes—to Themselves
We asked for messages of encouragement, affirmation, and admiration. You delivered. “Happy Valentine's Day, and keep being YOU!”
Photo by Joanna Kosinska via Unsplash
For This Valentine’s Day, Terriers Send Love Notes—to Themselves
We asked for messages of encouragement, affirmation, and admiration. You delivered. “Happy Valentine’s Day, and keep being YOU!”
Valentine’s Day is typically a day for celebrating those you love. But sometimes it’s healthy, and helpful, to practice a little self-love as well. So this year, BU Today invited members of the BU community, students, faculty, staff, alumni, to do something a little different—in short, to send themselves a message of encouragement and affirmation, some honest-to-goodness self-care. We heard from dozens of readers, who responded with heartfelt messages written to their past, present, or future selves. Take a look.
Elizabeth Nelson (CAS’23)
You’re doing your best and improving every day!
Emily Wang (COM’26)
…because you cannot give love if you do not have it for yourself. Your heart belongs to you too.
Vicky Vargas
Gifts coordinator, Development & Alumni Relations, Gifts and Records
My positive affirmations & thoughts—today and everyday I am choosing progress over perfection. I enjoy this journey of life I’m on, and am thankful I have learned to trust my intuition. Be love!
Amelia Sundman (CAS’24)
I love myself because of how I celebrate my accomplishments and how I have grown to give myself more compassion. I feel like I am constantly growing, but not looking back at my past self with remorse, just appreciation for getting myself where I am. And I also want to thank myself for buying that big pack of dinosaur oatmeal packets because those have been saving my life.
Maria Paredes
Senior MS education advisor, Wheelock College of Education & Human Development
I admire who you are becoming and the steps you’ve taken to get here.
I love how much you care about others and are graceful enough to say no in order to take care of yourself.
We’ve always aspired for balance, and it’s very hard sometimes to achieve it, and that is okay.
Today is all about self-love and appreciation for those who care for us.
Kodi Haney (SSW’24)
Whenever those unkind thoughts invade your mind, remember ho’oponopono: “I’m sorry. Please forgive me. Thank you. I love you.”
Jessica Schwarz (CAS’25, COM’25)
Happy Valentine’s day!! Spread peace, love, kindness xxxxx. You are sooo beautiful inside and out (I hope).
Rachel Reiser
Assistant dean for undergraduate student experience and services, Questrom School of Business
Dear Rachel—Self-care is as important as care for others, and you deserve to give yourself the care too! Happy Valentine’s Day, and keep being YOU!
From, YOURSELF
Lina Tabar (LAW’23)
Dear past self:
Thank you for finding the strength and sacrificing instant gratification in order to become the best version of yourself. There’s times where you’ve struggled, but, hey, look at where you are now and what the future awaits.
I forgive you for all the times you chose to be distracted instead of facing your concerns and for all the times you chose aggressiveness over vulnerability.
Always remember that the most valuable thing you have is your heart. Keep helping and caring, that’s what makes you special.
Tammy Luan (SHA’23)
Hey girl,
You are charming, shining, and confident. Do what you love and love yourself. There’s someone in the future, and he will give you a warm hug. Take your time and be yourself.
Diego Cazorla-Garcia (COM’25)
I love you, and I think that you matter a lot, even if you tell yourself that you don’t; always remember that you are important and your thoughts/opinions are valid and worthy of respect.
Zarin Pilakkadavath (CAMED’23)
Hey Dear Self,
Just wanna let you know how amazing and fabulous you are. You are the epitome of all that I want to be. The infectious joviality you emit ignites all around you, sparking smiles and happiness in every face you come across. I am just enthralled by the multi-roles you play so effectively. The grace with which you carry yourselves astounds me, and I yearn to emulate you in the years to come.
Keep rocking and be just the way you are!
Love,
Your self
Hebe Lee (Wheelock’23)
Hebe, you are the best!!!
Wendy Milds
Retired Faculty/Staff
I hold you in my heart with care, compassion, and joy. When you are feeling down, please remember that and celebrate yourself. <3
James Clark (Wheelock’78)
Love is the animal we choose not to tame. I loved you a lifetime ago. I love you again.
Karin Cornejo (Questrom’25)
You have overcome so much, and I’m so proud of you! I hope you are settling in your Zen home. I also hope you haven’t forgotten all those women waiting for you to reach out so you can help them with their self-esteem.
I know you will continue growing thanks to the decisions you are making to succeed. God has placed so many people in your path to help you move forward! Just look at where you are at compared to last year. Look at the blessing of OMBA [online MBA] and the privilege you have of learning all those things you have wanted to learn. Doors will keep opening up as you step forward in faith.
In all the many things you are juggling, remember to give Karin a hug of appreciation for putting a good fight, for forgiving, for her courage to move on and be a light to others.
Now, eat your favorite chocolate, watch a movie, and do some yoga.
Love,
Karin
Victor Ramirez (COM’22)
Hey You,
It’s me, or you… First off, I want to take the time to finally celebrate myself and everything it’s taken for me to get to the point where I am now.
Sure there’s always room for improvement, but you don’t do such a good job of celebrating your accomplishments. You just keep moving onto the next thing, which is admirable in itself.
You’ve been doing everything alone up until this point, but again, just because you can do everything alone doesn’t mean you have to—let people in and allow your life to be easier. Although I’d love to celebrate how you’ve been putting yourself out there more and talking to people. Great way to start the Aquarius season of putting yourself out there even though it feels so uncomfortable.
I’m glad you recognize your own potential and how much work is still ahead of you; just continue to remember to prioritize yourself and self-care practices you’ve come to discover. It’ll pay off!
Love,
Victor R
Brian Wu Brianc (CAS’24)
Brian,
Happy New Year. Huge thanks for continuing to bring me to run, something I thought I would have given up because of the tiring and boring reality of sticking to a concrete running week schedule. Also, thank you for putting in the hours to study on the first week of college! It’s been a while since high school for me to actually apply myself to school, but it’s been a lot more encouraging for me when you’re taking your studies seriously and going full-concentration breathing mode.
Huge thanks for making the time every day to balance my life with exercise, school, running, and social activities like meeting up with acquaintances/friends for food! I’m happy you’re taking your social life up one step at a time. Thanks for being a friend who teaches me that effort always contributes to something in the long run (not a running pun) and persisting can be a good thing!
Zhilan Qian (Questrom’23)
If you love someone, set them free. If they love you, they’ll come back.
Veronica G. (SSW’24)
Forgive yourself for the past, live in the moment, and remember to celebrate those accomplishments you are working so hard for right now!
Edison Lay (CAS’26)
Keep it up. I know it’s hard but it has been 4 years of nonstop work and just 4 more years you need to bear with. You got this, it doesn’t matter how difficult or tough the workload is, just know that and continue to push on.
Prerna Shankar (CAS’26)
Happy Valentine’s day <3. You try your hardest to be the best you possibly can every day, and that’s something really special about you. Life can get stressful sometimes, but remember that you always have family and friends around you to talk to. You’re never alone, and the best thing you can do for yourself sometimes is just to let go and relax :)
You’re going to be amazing, love ya!
Tessa-Jane (Wheelock’24)
Roses are red, violets are blue,
Tessa-Jane, my love, I’m in awe of you.
You’re funny, beautiful, and vegan too,
A great runner, writer, and future teacher too.
Janki Shah (SPH’23)
You are doing great! Keep going! It is gonna get better; you are going to be so proud of yourself. <3
Loren DelVecchio (CAS’24)
All your hard work paid off! Congratulations, you are doing great.
Kasey Kelly (STH’23)
Dear 2014 Kasey,
You have been worried about your love life after a break-up from your first love. You’re secretly romantic at heart. You wonder if you will be in a relationship like you had with your first love. Your love story gets better almost a decade later. I am more loved than I had ever been before because I allow myself to heal and grieve after a loss of a relationship. It is enjoyable to share experiences and get to know a person by simply being you. Being you is good enough.
Love,
Kasey (2023)
Diana Hernandez Johnson
Communications manager, College of Fine of Arts
Hey, you! You’ve got this! As a native Floridian, the winter blues are real but remember that you can’t have the Spring without the Winter. There are beautiful things about this season and there are beautiful, caring people around you. Allow that sparkle inside of you to shine—regardless of whether it’s 0 or 80 degrees out—and always be kind to yourself.
Nicole Zajac (ENG’24)
You got this, Nicole. Love ya lots. ❤
Michele Schuckel (SPH’25)
Stop thinking that you are trying to empty the ocean with a spoon—remember the starfish (each one thrown back lived!) and have faith, as MLK said, to take a step even if you can’t see the stairs!
Gabrielle Kelly (CAS’04)
You may feel overwhelmed and stressed about things, but you’ve endured many hardships and have come out stronger. You are amazing and should always remember your awesomeness!
Elizabeth Diosdado (Sargent’23)
Dear past,
You have no idea the great opportunities and adventures that you’re gonna take part in. Don’t get hung up on the little mistakes you make along the way; they’re gonna shape you into the resilient woman you are today.
Dear present,
We’re gonna get through this. I’m so proud of where we’re at right now; just remember to breathe and spend time doing what you love.
Dear future,
I’m sure you’re excited to go to work as a PT, helping people better themselves. Don’t forget to be thankful to those who helped you along your journey.
Dear self,
I love you & thank you for being strong.
David Malkin
User services assistant, University Libraries
I’m obsessed with you. Hehe
Julia Coelho
You are beyond beautiful inside and out. You light up each room you walk into and fill the room with joy and happiness. Always be you, Julia. No matter what, because I love you 💕
Heather Chick (CAS’99)
I love you because time after time, life has kicked your butt! And time after time, you get back up and come back stronger!
Yiwen Zhang (ENG’24)
Be more confident and always try things hard before giving them up.
Live a life without regret!
Always reflect on who I am and who I wish to become.
If I find something exciting, pour my efforts into it.
Be honest and be kind. :)
Shauna Goldberg (CAS’04)
Wow, what a journey this past 18 months. Look at you now—stronger, more resolute, thriving. You show your resilience and courage every day. And you keep learning and growing. Be present in each moment and feel gratitude each day; this is what matters most.
You’ve got this.
Victoria Gonzalez-Canalle (ENG’24)
You have been doing so good and come so far. Remember the bad feelings come and go, but that your love for yourself is always there. Like we always used to say, “I can go through anything because at the end of the day, I will ALWAYS have myself and I know I will be okay.” I love you/me!
Maya Feinstein (CAS’25)
Hey cutie🥰🥰🥰 It’s me, Maya! Happy Valentines Day from yourself! I love you so much. You are the most perfect delicious person and I will always be there for you—through all the ups and downs. Always love me first, queen, before any of your hoes🍑. Have a great day!
Morgan Leonard (Wheelock’24)
Hi, hunny! You are beautiful and caring—try not to forget how important you are to others, so honor yourself so you can support other people too!<3 “Be a master at loving yourself and people will follow.” Also, treat yourself with chocolate :)
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