Remember the words you said—
Before I get married,
I want to fully live as me.
Commit to my purpose,
not a promise that hides me.
I saw what that man did there—
Told me I’m unaccomplished,
like my life’s résumé
was missing his last name.
He said, “Let me put a ring on it,”
as if gold could erase my grit.
As if vows could silence
the voice I fought to keep.
But I said, “No.”
Before I get married,
you must not know who I am.
I’m a fighter—
ring name: Against All Odds.
You’re not easing anything;
I’ve walked barefoot through battles,
learned grace in the fire,
found peace in the noise.
I’ve drowned before,
but here I stand.
Jobless—
but never hungry.
Two shoes—
but always in glam.
No lights—
but radiant as ever.
Grew up in the trenches,
but my words wear crowns.
And when they ask,
“Why not say yes?”
I’ll say—because I’m still learning
the melody of my mission.
Because the altar of my destiny
isn’t in a white dress yet.
Because purpose is my first promise,
and I must honor it before I vow to another.
I’ve carried too many versions of me
trying to be loved,
now I’m the loving one
Before I get married,
I’ll marry my faith—
commit to my growth,
exchange rings with resilience.
And when I do walk down that aisle one day,
it won’t be to escape my shame—
It’ll be because I’ve already met myself there—
whole and healed
Jan 12
Jan 12, 2026 at 12:43 PM UTC
Remember the words you said—
Before I get married,
I want to fully live as me.
Commit to my purpose,
not a promise that hides me.
I saw what that man did there—
Told me I’m unaccomplished,
like my life’s résumé
was missing his last name.
He said, “Let me put a ring on it,”
as if gold could erase my grit.
As if vows could silence
the voice I fought to keep.
But I said, “No.”
Before I get married,
you must not know who I am.
I’m a fighter—
ring name: Against All Odds.
You’re not easing anything;
I’ve walked barefoot through battles,
learned grace in the fire,
found peace in the noise.
I’ve drowned before,
but here I stand.
Jobless—
but never hungry.
Two shoes—
but always in glam.
No lights—
but radiant as ever.
Grew up in the trenches,
but my words wear crowns.
And when they ask,
“Why not say yes?”
I’ll say—because I’m still learning
the melody of my mission.
Because the altar of my destiny
isn’t in a white dress yet.
Because purpose is my first promise,
and I must honor it before I vow to another.
I’ve carried too many versions of me
trying to be loved,
now I’m the loving one
Before I get married,
I’ll marry my faith—
commit to my growth,
exchange rings with resilience.
And when I do walk down that aisle one day,
it won’t be to escape my shame—
It’ll be because I’ve already met myself there—
whole and healed