40 Comments
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Isabella Rosario's avatar

so many white-hot flashes of genius here

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Valerie's avatar

isabella ❤️❤️❤️

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zsofi borsi's avatar

i cannot tell you how much i needed to read these words right now. it's everything i feel and more. thank you.

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Valerie's avatar

i'm sending you all the love! i hope things clear up soon (they will) 💓

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Miep's avatar

Terrific essay. Thanks so much. Resonates so hard.

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Valerie's avatar

thank you so, so much for reading ❤️

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from the Back Row's avatar

You always have such a beautiful way with words 👏

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Valerie's avatar

that means a lot! thank you!

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Romy De Vries's avatar

♥️

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sarah cucchiara's avatar

this is one of my favorite things you’ve written

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Valerie's avatar

sarahhhhhh no way im gonna cry

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Priya's avatar

Love love looove this so much. Can’t believe it’s been so long since i looked through my copy of crush. Kindness has been on my mind this past week so this was an absolute delight to read :)

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Valerie's avatar

Crush is otherworldly. thank you so much Priya ❤️

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Maria Polansky's avatar

Wow, thank you. I really needed this today 🤍 also, baristas that give you on the house treats when they see that you're down are the real MVPs.

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Valerie's avatar

I'm glad it found you at the right time <3 they're the best.. wish i could go back bearing gifts

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Dia Lupo's avatar

“And what a gift it is to notice all the lifeboats.“ 🌟

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Valerie's avatar

and is!!!!

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Sara's avatar

beautiful, stunning, heart warming, made me want to cry happy tears, i want to be your friend <3

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Valerie's avatar

love you sara, i'm so happy it resonated! we're officially friends now

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Carole Kupper's avatar

This was splendid, the way I swallowed every word and enjoyed their bittersweet taste

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Valerie's avatar

❤️❤️❤️ thank you Carole! you're so real as always!

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🍒christina🦋's avatar

this.

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Valerie's avatar

❤️

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Narae's avatar

Last sentence, I am dyingggg

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Valerie's avatar

🥐👯‍♀️?

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faith zapata's avatar

i love you so much wow

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Valerie's avatar

i love you !!!!

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Molly Schmidt's avatar

Astonishing, said with tears.

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Valerie's avatar

Molly! thank you so much for reading ❤️

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Ruby Kohane's avatar

This was a remarkable read, thank you Valerie. I too have had the privilege in dark moments of pastries on the house - baristas are a special breed. 💗 hope NY continues to meet you with all kinds of kindness.

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Valerie's avatar

thank you Ruby ❤️ couldn't agree more, i wonder if baristas know they're saving lives

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