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Mikki Eveloff

@mikkibe

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Co-creator of @blingitonbymandm

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Lesson #2: When I Became Enough…Choosing Me Part 2
“I will not apologize for choosing myself this time: self-love is the chapter I’ve always wanted to write.”
As I’ve grown older, my perspective on life—and my place in it—has shifted in ways I never saw coming.
Being the oldest of five, I naturally stepped into the role of the “perfect” eldest child. Responsible. Empathetic. A caretaker. A perfectionist. And perhaps most defining of all... a people pleaser.
For most of my life, I truly believed that putting others first was the right thing to do. That being selfless somehow equaled being lovable. That if I could make everyone else happy, I’d feel fulfilled too.
But after spending the last decade on my own, I’ve come to understand a much harder truth: people pleasing might leave others satisfied, but it often leaves me feeling empty. Unheard. Disappointed in myself. Like I betrayed the very person I’m supposed to be loyal to. Me.
That’s not the life I want anymore.
Some might ask, “WTF took you so long? Seventy years? And you’re just now figuring this out?” And as wild as it may sound, my answer is a resounding YES.
Yes. It took me this long. Yes. I stayed stuck in old cycles far longer than I should have. Yes. I kept running on a hamster wheel of approval and expectation.
But here’s what I know now: It’s. Never. Too. Late.
It’s never too late to rewrite your story. To choose yourself. To find joy that doesn’t rely on applause or permission.
So I’m starting now.
At 70, I am choosing happiness—not the kind that depends on validation or fitting into someone else's mold, but the kind that comes from making choices that align with who I am. From honoring what feels right in my soul. From trusting that I deserve a life rooted in peace and self-respect.
This isn’t about being selfish. It’s about finally, finally recognizing that my needs. My voice. And my well-being matter just as much as anyone else’s.
For most of my life, I followed the rules. I was the “good girl.” The peacekeeper. The one who didn’t rock the boat. I carried the weight of not wanting to disappoint others—believing that if I did, I’d somehow be unworthy of love... (Continued in comments) by @mikkibe

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2 years ago

This is 7! 🎀✨

Willow’s birthday was filled with fun, laughs, getting pampered, and feeling spoiled all day long! 💕 Manis and pedis to start the day, followed by unlimited games at Dave & Buster’s—exactly as she wished! 🎮🎂

Celebrating you is one of our favorite things because you make everything feel extra special. You have the biggest heart and the most genuine excitement for even the littlest things. Your enthusiasm, gratitude, and joy are contagious, and we hope you always hold onto that beautiful part of yourself. 🥹💗

You are fun, fearless, talented, beautiful, kind, and full of so much life. Watching you grow into the amazing little girl you are is one of our greatest joys. 🥰

We love you to the moon and back, Willow! 🌙💖 Here’s to 7 being your BEST year yet! ✨🎉

Happy 7th birthday to our girl! 🎂💕 #willowskye #thisis7 #birthdaygirl #willowis7 #luckynumber7 by @mikkibe

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a month ago

🏀 New season, here we go! 🏀

So incredibly proud of Cruz and all the growth, confidence, and hard work he’s put in! Watching him become more confident on the court has been the best. ❤️

Here’s to another season of learning, growing, having fun, and making memories! We’ll be cheering you on every step of the way, buddy! 🏀🙌🏼❤️

Let’s go, #5! 🔥

#cruzgreyson #basketball #basketballseason #letsgo taken in Carlsbad, California by @mikkibe

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a month ago

Lennox’s first dance class of the new season @elementdancecenter 🩷🖤

#lennoxreign #dance #tinydancer #futuredancer #minidancer taken in The Element Dance Center by @mikkibe

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a month ago

Celebrating Willow’s 7th Birthday… Our Mimi & Willow “YES” Day! 💕🎂
From beginning to end, this was one VERY special day! I’m not sure who had more fun… Willow or Mimi! 🥰
Our YES Day means Willow gets to choose it all—the places, activities, shopping adventures, and, of course, her favorite dessert! This year included donuts, painting, lunch, shopping, lots of giggles, and SO many special moments. 🍩🎨🛍️
But the best part? Her excitement, endless appreciation, big hugs, beautiful smile, and making memories together. ❤️ This is one tradition I hope we continue for many, many years!
Happy 7th Birthday Willow Skye! You bring endless sunshine, sparkle, and joy into my life. Mimi loves you more than you know! 💗
#imwillowskye #MimisGirl #YesDay #7thBirthday #BirthdayGirl MakingMemories GranddaughterLove SpecialTraditions MimiLove BirthdayMagic by @mikkibe

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a month ago

Happy 7th Birthday Willow Skye!
Seven years ago, a little bundle of sunshine, sparkle, and pure magic entered our lives — and WOW, did you ever make everything brighter!
Willow, you have a heart as big as the sky! You are sweet, generous, funny, talented, and oh-so-full of life. Whether you’re dancing, laughing, creating, dreaming, or just being your wonderfully silly self, you have a way of making everyone around you smile. 🥰
And your talent?! WOW! But you know what Mimi loves MOST? It’s the beautiful, kind, caring girl behind all that sparkle. You make people feel special just by being YOU.
My birthday wish for you is to dream BIG, laugh LOTS, dance like nobody’s watching, always be kind, and NEVER forget how amazing you are!
Keep following your dreams, keep believing in yourself, and always let your one-of-a-kind Willow sparkle shine!
You are the gift that keeps on giving — and being your Mimi is one of the greatest gifts of all.
Happy 7th Birthday, sweet Willow Skye!
I love you to the moon, around the stars, and back again!
I Love You!
Mimi 💕 by @mikkibe

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a month ago

And now, sharing Willow’s tap solo from last season, “I’ve Got Rhythm”! 🎶🩷

Another little dance that will forever hold such a special place in our hearts. Watching you grow so much in your tap this past season was truly incredible, and I can’t wait to see where this journey takes you! ✨

At just 6 years old, you have already shown me just how much heart, passion, and determination you have. Watching you learn, grow, and light up the stage doing what you love is one of my greatest joys. I’m so incredibly proud of the little dancer you are becoming and all the beautiful things still ahead of you. 🥹🩷

Keep shining, keep smiling, and most importantly, keep doing what you LOVE! Your passion is what makes you so special, and I’ll forever be your biggest cheerleader. 📣💕

And another BIG thank you to all of the incredible teachers @elementdancecenter! 🩷🖤 Willow truly wouldn’t be the dancer she is today without all of the love, patience, encouragement, and dedication you pour into her. We are forever grateful for each of you and everything you do to help her learn, grow, and believe in herself. Thank you for loving our girl and helping her shine! ✨

So proud of you, Willow! Keep tapping your way into all the amazing things your future has in store! 🥹🩷✨

#willowskye #dancemoms #tapdance #minidancer #dancelife taken in The Element Dance Center by @mikkibe

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a month ago

Before we officially kick off a ✨NEW SEASON✨ on Tuesday, I had to share Willow’s jazz solo, “Proud Mary,” from last season. 🩷🖤

At just 6 years old, this girl continues to blow me away! Watching her pour so much passion, dedication, and hard work into every performance is something I’ll never take for granted. 🥹

“Proud Mary” will always hold such a special place in our hearts. It was a dance, a season, and a year we’ll never forget. What a year she had! 🏆✨

The awards and accolades are amazing, but what makes me the proudest is watching her love what she does, work hard, push herself, and step on that stage with confidence and joy. ❤️

A huge THANK YOU to all of @elementdancecenter teachers for everything you do for our girl! Thank you for pouring your time, talent, love, and energy into her and helping her grow not only as a dancer, but as a person. We are forever grateful for each and every one of you. 🩷🖤

I’m so excited to watch this little girl continue to grow, learn, and chase her dreams. Bring on (Willow’s) Season 5! ✨ I cannot wait to see what this next year has in store for you, Willow! Skye! 💕

#willowskye #minidancer #jazzDance #danceCompetition #dancekar taken in The Element Dance Center by @mikkibe

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a month ago

Twelve years.
144 months.
52,560 days.
630,720 hours.
37,843,200 minutes.
2,270,592,000 seconds.
A lifetime and an instant.
Forever and yesterday.
All in one breath.
Every year, I find myself asking:
Why am I still grieving?
Why am I still sad?
Why do the tears still come?
Twelve years later, I finally know the answer:
Because. This. Is. Grief.
There is no timeline. No right way. No wrong way.
Losing you—my soulmate, my best friend—isn't a problem to be solved.
There is no overcoming.
There is learning to live with the loss.
Learning to carry the love.
Learning to build a life around the empty space you left behind.
And I've learned this:
Grief isn't proof that I'm stuck.
It is proof that I loved deeply.
I refuse to measure my healing by how little I miss you.
Because I still miss you.
I still cry.
And I also laugh.
I love.
I grow.
I make new memories.
I experience joy.
I live.
I don't have to choose between remembering you and living my life.
I can do both.
Twelve years later, I choose to remember not only how I lost you, but how lucky I was to have you.
Lucky enough to love you.
Lucky enough to be loved by you.
Lucky enough to have forty years.
August will always remind me of what I lost—the future we were supposed to have.
But it also reminds me of what I was given.
You.
Twelve years.
Forever and yesterday.
We loved.
We lost.
We survived.
And I will carry your love and your legacy forward—with kindness, gratitude, and always...
with love.
Until we meet again. ❤️
#TwelveYears #ForeverAndYesterday #InLovingMemory #GriefAndLove #GriefJourney #GriefIsLove #LoveNeverDies #AlwaysInMyHeart #UntilWeMeetAgain #RememberingYou #LifeAfterLoss by @mikkibe

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2 months ago

The most handsome boy in all the land 😍

I cried and he aged 5 years 🥹

Thank you @haus_of_fadez for being so incredible with my boy! 🫶🏻

#cruzgreyson #newhaircut #transformation #myboy #handsomeboy by @mikkibe

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2 months ago

Sandy toes, salty hair, ketchup face 👌🏼☀️

#lennoxreign #summer #beach #sandytoes #saltyhair by @mikkibe

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2 months ago

Day 7 at @dancekar Nationals in Anaheim! 🥳🩷🖤

We made it to SHOWCASE day! ✨ I was so lucky to have the opportunity to perform my two jazz groups one more time—Hokey Pokey and Pop, Drop and Roll! 💃

While neither dance took home Grand Champion, we walked off that stage knowing we gave it everything we had and left our hearts out there for one final performance. 🤍

The awards are always exciting, but the moments that truly make this journey special are the memories made, the friendships built, the lessons learned, and the ability to share something I love so much—dance. ✨

This Nationals was one I’ll never forget. I’m so grateful for every teammate, teacher, and person who made this week so incredible. Ending the season this way has left me feeling so proud and excited for what’s ahead.

Can’t wait to see what next season has in store! 🩷

#willowskye #dance #dancekar #nationals #memories taken in Hyatt Regency Orange County by @mikkibe

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2 months ago