Acceptance, Black Women & Sisterfriends

HEY THERE and Welcome to the Women's Month Edition!!!

January is the free trial month of the new year. January comes in acting a fool. Normally, I like things long and hard, not this! January has to relax in 2027, or February is the new first month of the year for me. Got Damn! LOL

Anyway, how much Love did you give out so far this month? As we approach the month to Honor Women's History (March), how are you doing?

I closed out January under ice and snow, as many others did. It allowed time at home to prep for upcoming events, weighed in on a few decisions regarding some next steps in my life, caught up on shows, and cuddled with Max Bailey. I've been doing more on my own outside of the house and meeting people in the area. I used to read and write a lot. Random things here and there. I've been getting back to it.

Idk... I think fully experiencing and giving out love reconnected me to a part of me I had forgotten about lately as well. Here's something I randomly put down one day...

"He had a thing for music... but also a thing for me...

He played the Brown Sugar album by D'Angelo on the record player and pulled me close.

I melted into his arms and welcomed him to guide my body into a slow dance. Before I knew it we were wrapped in a kiss and our bodies interlocked in passion. Because of way he completly covered me, my body would open to his command. His hands and lips traced my body as I moaned from pleasure.

He was always intentional about learning me. My husband knew my heart, mind and body... He was the reminder of why it was never suppose to work with anyone else.

He studied the rhythm of my heartbeat next to his. It wasn't just sex. This is love. And we've both been deep in it.

As the sounds of Lady filled the room, my body released all he had been drilling for... right before... he filled me.

Breathing heavy, kissing my shoulder, then my cheek, we made eye contact. "I love you" I replied with a smile "I love you too"

He would squeeze into the tight space behind me on the sofa pulling me close to be in his arms. He rubbed my growing belly. We were 4 months from meeting our legacy in physical form. In my ear he whispered "Always mine" then kissed my neck before drifting off to sleep.

As I closed my eyes there, I would open them back in reality. At my desk, fumbling at the collar of my top... It was all a day dream. A very warm but sweet day dream of a man I never got the chance to know.

At least not yet..."

❤️ I've missed my imagination and creativity.

It's been cold af, but the first qtr of the year has been ok so far.

Since I started the 52 Week Book Series, I worked to encourage others to lean towards a more positive mindset and thought process on life... I have to hold to that advice myself. December did a number on me emotionally and mentally. Some of January too but, I thank God for the strength to get out of a painful and sad space. So with confidence, acceptance, and a much more positive perspective, everything God has for me is already mine. While I wait, I will remain planted in the season HE has me in until it's time for me to bloom into all the things coming for me. Galatians 6:9.

February came in still under snow, ice, and frigid days, and, my heart has been warm. Life has been doing what it does, but I have been moving through things with grace and faith. Keeping up with fitness, vitamins, water, healthier eating, taking my time more to pretty myself, and responding less to things that are outside of my control. I love being softer... for me.

I started my new read for the month. Sky full of Elephants by Cebo Campbell. It held my interest. I definitely wanted to read it more than watching tv or YouTube.

I also figured out what I would do for February. I've been thinking a lot about my mom and a beautiful gesture she did for me one Valentine's Day. I was newly single after an almost 10-year relationship. She, in all red with balloons, candy, and stuffed animals, came to my job to surprise me. I can still see her sitting in my cubicle wiping my tears. She said, "I don't want you to feel alone. I love you Bootsie."

Sidebar: Yes, that's what she called me. Only she could call me that. To think of it, each of my parents and grandparents had their own nickname for me. Lol

My mom was the best to me. I replied, 'I know mommy. Thank you.' She is still with me. I'm not alone, and to remember how festive she was, I decorated. Not much, but enough to be met with and reminded of love in my space.

Valentine's Day was... eh... I finally accepted having to close a door I was pushed out of a while ago. For months, I exhausted myself trying to fit into a room I deep down knew no longer had the capacity to hold me. As hard as it was and still might be for a while, I stepped back and shut the door on my way out. My hands are off the knob, do your big one God on whatever is best. I don't know if this particular door will be opened again or if it's locked for good, but I can only tell you that either way, everything will be okay. 🙏🏾❤️

And also, like my birthday, I had invites out but declined. I took myself out to dinner and ended up having really good conversations with these guys I met sitting at the bar. It was good to laugh, talk mess, and talk to men with unbiased views on things shared for a little bit. Even though I turned down one of them, they still covered my bill for Valentine's Day. It was nice of them.

Not the V-Day I would have liked, but I'm still grateful... This month is about love. Love of all kinds. I have it. I'm blessed.

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Before we continue, let me share... Feelings are not facts... What I share are MY feelings and thoughts. This is my blog. LOL. Everyone is entitled to their feelings. I am open to different perspectives, but my feelings are MY FEELINGS based on my life experiences and conversations with others. They are not intended to harm or offend anyone. We can chat about my views below or via chat. Keep it kind and respectful. Thx.

Being A Black Woman

Yes, March is about celebrating Women's History Month, but I want to focus on being black women... today.

I don't care what anyone says, I LOVE being a black woman. Yes, at times if I have to stand up for myself against offense, I'm looked at as "angry" or like I "have an attitude" or because I work hard, successful, and self-sufficient, I've been viewed as being intimidating or not needing help... I still wouldn't trade being who I am. A Beautiful Black Woman.

I think God knew things wouldn't be easy for us, so HE blessed black women to age gracefully just by drinking water and keeping moisture in our skin. He gave us the ability to move in style even if the world is burning down around us. Even together in a room full of different shades of brown, we stand out individually.

Black women make shit happen. Hard Stop.

Every color under the rainbow looks good on our skin. We have the ability to support and cheer on another sister even while we are hanging by a thread within our own lives. We go hard when needed, but still as soft as rose petals. I think we are the only women who look like we smell good. lol A hug from a black woman heals. A black woman's heart is so pure. It can be broken many times, and we will still find a piece of it to give to another.

We are simply fascinating...

As we move through March as International Women's History Month, be kind, supportive, and loving towards each other. Be what you need. If you genuinely already offer those things to another sister, great. Give out more! Just because.

I recently watched a roundtable of black men talking about black women. Actor Clifton Powell (Pinky from Friday) shared that, at almost 70, he has just been shown the love he needed that helped him want to be better to black women. He acknowledged he wasn't the best to women and since his lady, he has been doing his work because of her not giving up on him. He said it's the first relationship where he was faithful...

Now, is it our responsibility to heal another when we already have enough on our plates? Hell no, my focus is on how we truly do hold a lot more power as black women than we give ourselves credit for. We don't know their full story, but that's what stood out for me in his sharing. Her love was powerful.

Without being male-centered, or taking anything from who we are as women, love and encourage the black men in your life a bit more. We truly do have the kind of love (in general) inside of us that can heal.

PLEASE use your judgment on who to share it with. Not all are ready. But for those who are, they need us just as much as we need them.

Impact of Having Sister Friends

Romantic relationships aren't the only place where you can discover things about people. I've been blessed to have trash friends who taught me what I didn't want in friends or want to be as one. Then I've had friends who set the bar on being the best friends who I can consider as family. Here, I'll focus on the positive impact of having friends who've become sister and I'll finish unpacking the negative in therapy. Haha.

Good friends stand the test of time. Friends will drive an hour to drop pink flowers on the anniversary of your mother's passing years later just to remind you that you aren't alone in the world. They will accept your flaws, quirks, and all. You may get on their nerves, but genuinely, they love you. It's felt. 💕 People already know to watch what they say about you in the presence of your friends. Some speak your name in rooms they know you belong in. Others help you be accountable in life or help you find yourself again; they will tell you the hard and necessary things with love so you can grow. They and their children make time to have lunch with you because they miss you and because they want to put their eyes on you. Just to be sure you're ok. Therapist friends know certain things... 😅

After heartbreak, they don't judge you; they make time to surround you with love while you cry or help you build a new roster when ready. Doesn't matter your distance, schedule or the occasional social nerves, they never stop including you. You can go through something in the group, and they hold space for resolution because what you share is valued. Friends donate their gifts to your events to make sure they stand out. Friends show up virtually for dinner or a quick shot when one of you has had a rough day or time. I'vHost a party with a ridiculous theme; they may fuss, but because they know it will make you smile, they show up in theme for you. Even when you think they don't see or support, they encourage you if they think you're doubting yourself...

I could go on with how my friends have shown me true friendship and love. Not having a large family, I am blessed to have great friendships that turned into family.

Side Bar: It's not to take away from my cousins at all. Cousins are your first friends but I didn't get to choose them. I chose these people as friends and they choose me over and over in return. 🥰

Even when I've fallen short on being a good friend, they loved me. They hate when I get mushy or super serious about life 😅, but they know I appreciate them and am grateful for how much I learn from them all.

This is just some of the ones who empower, love, and see great things for me. 💕

Share below, What do good friendships look and feel like to you?

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💃🏾🕺Things to Do: March

If an effort to find a good balance between being out living, staying in to recharge, without breaking the bank, I wanted to share a few Budget-Friendly things you can experience this March for $50 or under:

• Host a Girl's Nite In Potluck

• Visit a museum with a Women-Focused Exhibit

• Reset the energy in your space with pre-spring cleaning

• Host a gathering to watch the entire series of your favorite friends shows like Insecure, The Golden Girls, GirlFriends, Sex and the City, Good Girls, etc.

• Find and support a Woman-Owned small business

• Check out the AS I AM Coloring Books here on the website.

  • Use Code: HER for 50% off expires March 31, 2026 11:59p

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Peek at Next Month: 🧐

April is the pre-bloom month for me. That's where I will reflect on my previous month, what it means to be planted vs being buried, and things to do in April.

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I pray you found value and inspiration in something I've shared. Feel free to drop love below, email, or chat here if subscribed to the website. I welcome positivity.

I loss another friend this month. One of the most encouraging, kind, fun, supportive and very well known Baltimore Raven's SuperFan anyone would ever meet. An all-around great person. He and his wife supported me through so much. Sean will be missed, but I pray he and Capt. Defense have the best tailgates in heaven. Hug Shakia for me... RIP 88.

As you move into your coming weeks and months, show up for yourself and loved ones. Don't let the love stop just because February is ending soon. Say and show love as much as you can, while you can. The world needs more of it.

I know this newsletter blog was long this month, I had a lot to share. Help me expand the reach of the 52 Week Experience by simply sharing this blog or the series in general. Thank you!

Until Next Time...

NinaB

xoxo

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