Emily Love

42, you were everything.

These photos are exactly one year apart, capturing a year of extremes—high highs, low lows, and everything in between. I gave up alcohol (98%), I learned the value of true partnerships and that I thrive in small circles. I stopped seeking validation in romance, but experienced healthy romantic love for probably the first time.

I was bold, took risks, and felt unstoppable. And I was humbled to my knees, questioning everything. I learned to live in the present when the future felt overwhelming. I witnessed overwhelming generosity but also selfish disregard, found strength in consistency, and embraced the solitude that fuels growth.

Getting older is one of my favorite things—the clarity, the wisdom, the grace to navigate this wild life we create. Watching my kids step into adulthood, deepening friendships, and moving into aging with my parents has been a gift. I spent months exploring the world and months barely leaving the house. They say growth happens in isolation—I believe it.

42, you were a lesson. January, you were a test. 43, I’m ready for you. ❤️