True Love on Valentine’s Day

The kind of love that holds space and lights a fire.

It seems fitting to reflect on systems of accountability and support on Valentine’s Day.

The people in our lives who are able to hold us accountable to what’s best for us, because they know what “best” looks like.

They’re invested in our vision and our greatest potential and are there to support us when that vision feels less clear, or suddenly so far away.

Being held accountable sounds awesome- super empowering and a sure-fire way to accomplish your goals…. until it's time to actually be held accountable.

Like when it’s late in the afternoon and you’re fried after spending the day locked into your work computer, and suddenly getting to the gym feels like an extreme sport.

This was me the other day. I came out of my office, looked at my boyfriend and said, “Hey, do you have any reason I shouldn’t go to the gym?”

Him: ~pausing and looking at me skeptically~ “What do you mean?”

Me: “I don’t know… do you wanna hangout or something?”

What I really meant was please give me literally any excuse to not go to the gym.

He laughed, looked at me, and just said: “No, go workout. You’re a lot more fun to be around once you’ve worked out.”

“Ughhhhh fine”.... ~with all of the drama you can imagine~

But sure enough… I went. And I came back BEAMING.

Like walked through the door trying to make a joke about how terrible it was and couldn’t even make it a few words without giggling.

I came returned 100% a better person to be around.

That night I realized just how unbelievably grateful I am to have someone who will not only hold me accountable, but also support me in being that better version of myself.

Someone who understands the why behind it, even if I don’t explicitly say it. Someone who truly knows I’m capable of more.

There’s no shame. No pressure, and no judgment if I had genuinely needed to be a potato that night.

He just simply reminded me of what I already know - that the better, more grounded version of me is on the other side of doing the hard thing.  

Support and accountability, when blended like this can feel rare. When support is no longer just about comfort, and accountability isn’t just discipline.

Blend those things together, and to me, you get love. The true kind of love. The type of love that’s willing to sacrifice time together because you both know it's for the best.

These people in our lives who hold us with both accountability and support are who allow us to feel safe to grow, to be challenged, to not always have it together. Who hold space for us when we truly need it, and who light a fire beneath us when it’s time to step past that discomfort and into a greater state of being.

Today I’m wildly grateful for the incredible source of both support and accountability that I have in my life. For a love that challenges me to be the best version of me.

Who are you grateful for today? Who holds you both accountable and supported?