Never in my life have I felt such an intense tsunami of hatred, anger, injustice and misunderstanding wash over me as I have this last week. Everywhere I look something or someone is broken or torn; friendships and family ties have been shattering.

All of this sadness, hatred and disappointment have made me feel like I have been swimming in ink since Tuesday, and I really need a lungful of air. I'm willing to bet you could use some air too, so this is for you.

In the wake of everything, I want you to know this:

I love you.

I love you so much.

No one can know how deeply and shamelessly I love you.

When you step off of the train and don’t know the way home, I love you.

When you step off of the chair and thank God the rope breaks, I love you.

When they tell you your life doesn’t matter, it does. I love you.

When you’re not sure if you have a place in the world, you do. With me. I love you.

I love you.

I love you so much.

No one, not even I, can understand the way I love you.

When you cry and break and fall to pieces, I love you.

When you get an A on that test or when you bring home a “Failure,” I love you.

When people pretend not to see you, I love you.

When they call you a whore, I love you.

I love you.

I love you so much.

No one knows the way I can’t sleep at night because of the way I love you.

When they say you’re an object, I love you.

When you run home in the dark from faces you don’t recognize but know too well, I love you.

When you can’t breathe and you cry out loud but no one listens, I love you.

When you beg for water but have to stop because you’re too parched, I love you.

I love you.

I love you so much.

When they give you labels, I love you.

When they tell you you’re stupid, I love you.

When they tell you to give in, don’t. I love you.

When they call you a waste of space, you’re not. I love you.

I love you.

I love you so much.

When you don’t love me, I love you.

When you don’t want what’s best for me, I love you.

When you step on my beliefs and spit in my face, I love you.

When you hate me and don’t know why, I love you.

When you tell me I’m a waste of space, I’m not. And I love you.

I love you.

I love you so much.