Wearing nail polish, lipstick or anything other than a t-shirt was a foreign concept to me for most of my life. Yes, I was a cheerleader, but I was also potty trained on the football field. Shopping was never my thing. In fact, I hate it. Still, do.

It’s not that I don’t enjoy wearing nice things or being dolled up, it’s just I have never had the patience for it. Why put makeup on when I can throw my hair in a ponytail and be comfortable all day? Walk around for hours hunting for something that MIGHT look good on me? No, thank you. Seriously, how did Kappa Delta Sorority let me in?

The result of this attitude was that I would settle. Settle for the cheap work pants, for the semi-done hair or for whatever got me ready the fastest. I wouldn’t take time for myself. This is something Kevin was known for in the polar opposite… Cue a roaring laughter from the majority of his friends.

Yes, Kevin would spend hours getting ready. Hours. Let me say that again, hooouuuurrssss. From hair, to teeth, to his eighty pairs of shoes … The man took his time.

What some might not understand is what that did for me. He showed me that nothing is too important that you can’t take care of yourself. That there is a joy in taking time for yourself.

I did not do that.

I began to take more notice of the clothes I was wearing. Did I feel confident in them? No. Slowly, I started to explore things like makeup that did more for me than just make me look awake.

I can remember one of the last night’s Kev and I were together I wore a bold red lipstick. He stopped dead in his tracks and said, “Babe…. YES!”

Do I still wear t-shirts and eat buffalo wings like a cannibal? Hell yes. Kevin especially enjoyed that part of me. But now I take more pride in putting myself together. I only keep clothes that I LOVE to wear. Some are from Target others are boutique. I enjoy taking time for myself.

Part of it is external, but it’s also an internal appreciation. I understand more than ever that life is too short to not to take time for yourself. I do these things now in a sense to honor Kev, but it’s also for me. I’m just learning to live life deliberately from lipstick to my soul.

Till Next Time.