“February 19, 2018: The day some random receptionist called my phone telling me news I never knew I would hear. I tested positive for Herpes. My whole world stopped. I didn’t believe it. I couldn’t sleep. I needed answers. I couldn’t even touch myself. I felt like I no longer recognized the woman I saw in the mirror. In a weird way, hearing this news was possibly the best thing to happen to me. Hear me out. Hearing this news made me look inside myself and unpack years of failed self love and sexual validation. Hearing this news forced me have uneasy conversations about sexual history with potential partners. Ones I tried to avoid in the past thinking they would look at me crazy if I asked when was the last time they were tested.  Hearing this news was life altering, but also life changing. Hearing this news is sometimes still a struggle to wrap my worth around. But, it has forced me onto the path of reclaiming self control. Every day, I remind myself that I am deserving. I am deserving of love. I am worthy. And I love myself... no matter what society says.”