Inspiring Resilience Stories of Hope

Real-Life Narratives of Strength and Survival

  • Motivational Quotes
    • Books and Movies
  • Everyday Resilience
    • Career
    • Job Loss
  • Building Resilience
  • Relationships
  • Trauma
    • Childhood Trauma
    • Sexual Assault & Survivors
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    • Physical Health
  • Death
    • Infertility & Infant Loss

Home » Relationships

Photo of Kelsey Elizabeth Matthews
Relationships

What Does it Mean to Love Someone? A Personal Story of Love

May 21, 2024   Guest Contributor   1075 Views

About The Author

Guest Contributor

See author's posts

← How to Deal with a Narcissist: First Signs and Practical Steps Soul Ties: Decoding the Deep & Unexplainable Connection →

Share This Post:


Twitter

Facebook

Pinterest

Email
You May Also Like
A photo of puzzle pieces depicting a parent and child, pets, cars, and money. Things that typically require new placement or decisions during family transitions.

How to Help Children Feel Secure During Family Transitions

September 15, 2025
A broken heart with exploding confetti around it signifying someone having a divorce party to commemorate the end of their marriage.

15 Creative Divorce Party Ideas to Celebrate Your Fresh Start

May 7, 2025
A young couple sits closely on a couch with arms crossed and serious expressions, facing forward. Both wear casual clothing—white tops and jeans—and appear to be in a moment of tension or disagreement, suggesting a relationship conflict or emotional distance.

Relationship Anxiety: When Butterflies Turn Into Knots

April 25, 2025
A woman sitting at a table with her face in her hands and her eyes closed, demonstrating what it feels like to be with someone who is emotionally unavailable.

Emotionally Unavailable: What It Means For Your Relationship

March 10, 2025
An Asian couple sits at an outdoor cafe gazing and smiling at each other.

Second Dates: Building Connections and Navigating Expectations

January 8, 2025
A woman wearing a red dress hugs a man whose back is facing the camera. She is looking right at the camera as if something is going on.

Recognizing Red Flags in Relationships: Insights and Examples

December 14, 2024
Black woman and white man on a couch looking unhappy.

What Does It Mean to Be in a Situationship?

October 22, 2024
An AI generated image with a warm, happy, and welcoming grandma and grandpa standing in front of their farm.

A Piece of My Heart Stays with Grandma and Grandpa at the Farm

September 13, 2024
An AI generated image of a realistic, muted woman sitting at a table with receipts scattered in front of her. She appears deep in thought, looking down at the receipts with a calculator beside them. Above her, a large human hand is reaching down, symbolizing coercive control. The atmosphere is somber and reflective, emphasizing the tension and control exerted over the woman.

Coercive Control: One Woman’s Struggle With This Silent Abuse

August 16, 2024
An AI-generated image of a woman trying to run toward mountains in the distance while a man holds onto her arm, with clear facial expressions showing a struggle for freedom. A domestic violence survivor shares her story.

From Survival to Summit: A Domestic Violence Survivor’s Journey

July 29, 2024
Photo of the author of article, Dating in Your 40s

Dating in Your 40s: Stay Strong & Love Yourself First

June 29, 2024
happy looking couple kissing. Image by Omar Medina from Pixabay

Autonomy in Relationships: Being Yourself While Being Together

June 20, 2024

5 Comments

  1. Barb
    Barb on May 28, 2024 at 6:57 pm

    To realize that we don’t have the power to fix everything, to move past the want or need to control a situation for others by our actions, is so powerful. I struggle with this also, but am learning. I consider it a superpower. My belief is that dawning creates more kindness.
    Thank you for sharing your story.

    Reply
  2. Anne
    Anne on May 21, 2024 at 12:58 pm

    So heartfelt. I relate to this so very much and you clarify everything so well. Thank you so much for your words of inspired wisdom. Your testimony will bless everyone who reads it. Just like God catches every tear, He uses your seeds to further His kingdom.
    I’m so proud of the amazing woman God called you to be.

    Reply
    • Danielle Dahl
      Danielle Dahl on May 21, 2024 at 4:06 pm

      Thanks so much for leaving a comment. We agree, Kelsey is pretty amazing! We are thankful she chose to share her story with us! We hope you take a moment and read through some of the other inspiring content on the site, too.

      Reply
  3. Melissa Keefe
    Melissa Keefe on May 21, 2024 at 12:36 pm

    As someone with an extensive trauma history who has done the work I always find myself asking similar questions. Why do some rise above their hurt while others perpetuate the cycle? I have always led with an open heart-I’m empathic and intuitive. I was a social worker for 15 years and always worked from a place of love and respect regardless of what led a client to me(I worked in child protection). I prefer to think of myself self as spiritual be religious because I have encountered some of the biggest hypocrisies within institutions. I think your story has the ability to have an impact on many people.

    Reply
    • Danielle Dahl
      Danielle Dahl on May 21, 2024 at 4:04 pm

      Thank you so much for leaving a comment. We appreciate Kelsey’s willingness to share her story and also believe it will inspire many people! We hope you take a moment to read some of the other inspiring content on the site, as well.

      Reply

Submit a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Learn to set a boundary is written on a chalkboard.
Building Resilience

Learning to Set Boundaries at 42 (and Why It Took Me So Long)

March 20, 2026 — Prudence Lybeck
A photo of the author in her garden.
Books and Movies

A Journey of Addiction Recovery and Hope

March 10, 2026 — Guest Contributor
A photo of Kaylah and her mother, Onnie Michalsky who bravely shares what losing a child is like.
Death

Losing a Child: The Story No Parent Should Have to Tell

February 26, 2026 — Guest Contributor
A photo of the author with a PIC line, a visual representation of life with chronic kidney disease.
Physical Health

Life With Kidney Disease: This Is Living—Even Now

February 16, 2026 — Guest Contributor
Building ResilienceView All
Learn to set a boundary is written on a chalkboard.
BUILDING RESILIENCE

Learning to Set Boundaries at 42 (and Why It Took Me So Long)

March 20, 2026 | Prudence Lybeck
I used to think learning to set boundaries was something confident people did. The kind of people who could say,...
The words "Everyone has a story" appear on typeset font on a piece of paper still in the typewriter.

Connecting Through Stories: How Your Truth Can Spark Healing

September 30, 2025
A photo of Ash Beckham on the TEDx Boulder stage.

Ash Beckham on Breaking Free: Authenticity Beyond the Closet

May 31, 2025
Woman with eyes closed and headphones on, looking tranquil listening to 396 Hz frequency

Healing with the 396 Hz Frequency: Releasing Fear & Guilt

March 17, 2025
A yin yang made of hands and separated by a vine with the words wu wei the art of effortless action surrounding it.

Wu Wei: Flowing Effortlessly with the Sacred Feminine

February 14, 2025
More Stories
  • AI-generated image featuring a diverse group of modern monks, including both men and women of varied ethnicities, walking through the busy streets of New York City. They are wearing brightly colored robes and outfits that reflect a blend of traditional monk attire with contemporary streetwear elements like sneakers, sunglasses, and stylish accessories.
    Nurturing a Zen State of Mind in Modern Life
    June 28, 2024
  • An AI generated image of a vibrant rainbow emerging from a misty landscape, with a dreamy and ethereal quality aligning with the mysterious force of luck alluded to in these luck quotes.
    Luck Quotes: Wisdom on Fortune, Opportunity, and Hard Work
    February 28, 2025
  • AI-image of impressionist-style painting of a close-up of a shining, sparkling brown eye.
    Authenticity Quotes: Stop Diminishing the Power of Being You
    October 11, 2024
More Stories
  • A photo of the author of "Who I Am"
    Honoring Who I Am: The Messy Life That Made Me So Resilient
    March 1, 2024
  • An AI generated image of a person writing in a gratitude journal. It features natural colors, a calming atmosphere, and a more serene, minimal background to emphasize mindfulness and reflection.
    How Learning to Express Gratitude Can Improve Your Life
    October 9, 2024
  • A little wooden figure is writing leadership on a board and some words that go along with leading as mentioned in these leadership quotes.
    Leadership Quotes to Inspire Growth, Vision, and Success
    February 12, 2025

As Seen On: Featured Across Other Platforms

  Womens Insider         Good Morning US     Authority Magazine Medium StartUpNation Good Men Project Self Employed Wisdom Quotes Interview Focus

About Us

Resilient Stories is a motivational blog dedicated to sharing stories of resilience and triumph. Our mission is to inspire and empower individuals to overcome obstacles and reach their full potential.

  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow
Resilient Stories Book Cover
Resilient Stories:
A Mindful Coloring Journal
Danielle Dahl and Lia Munson
Buy Now
 
 Resilient Stories Book Cover
Voices of Resilience:
Volume One
Danielle Dahl and Lia Munson
   Buy Now

Useful Links

Share Your Story
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Author Interviews

Check Out Our Latest Event!

Access Our Custom Story Coach and Other Downloadable Content

Contact

Danielle Dahl, Co-Founder

Email: danielle@resilientstories.com
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
Copyright © 2026 Resilient Stories. All rights reserved.