I once believed love was all fairy tales and perfect endings. But after I lost my baby, everything started to fall apart including my engagement. Brian and I were certain about our future. We talked endlessly about building a life together, starting a family. But just two weeks after he proposed, we were sitting in a cold hospital room, hearing the words no expecting parent ever wants to hear the baby was gone. I blamed myself. The grief was unbearable and then my hair began to fall out.
It started subtly a few strands here and there. Then it became clumps. Then bald spots. I avoided looking in mirrors. Brian started avoiding me. One evening, he sat me down and ended it. “You’re not the same person I fell in love with,” he said, his voice empty. That was it. Our wedding was off. He packed up and left that same weekend. Three months later, I found out he was seeing my sister. A year after the breakup, their wedding invitation arrived and I knew I was going.
But I made sure to rebuild myself first. The diagnosis came: Alopecia Areata. Triggered by stress. No permanent cure, but manageable. I started going to therapy, joined a dance class, and finally booked that solo trip to Bali I’d been putting off. That’s where I met Anthony a photographer who looked at me and saw something more. He didn’t wince or offer sympathy. Instead, he said, “You’ve got an incredible presence. The camera loves you.”It was the first time in ages I saw myself as strong, not shattered.
When the day of the wedding arrived, I walked in wearing a striking red dress, head held high. The room fell silent then scattered applause broke out. I caught a glimpse of Brian shifting in discomfort, and Sarah’s forced smile. But I didn’t care anymore. Anthony leaned toward me and whispered, “You okay?” I smiled. “More than okay. I’m free.” Today, I’m planning a beach wedding with a man who loves me exactly as I am. I now model, speak at alopecia awareness events, and share my story with others. Because sometimes, losing everything is what helps you finally find yourself. And I’ve never been more ready to begin again.