Happy Valentine’s Day, Friends of Faye!

’Tis the season of candy hearts, Hallmark sentiments, and good, old-fashioned romance (Tinder be darned!). And, while Faye has been doing very well this month, she’s having none of it. Someone who knows that I happily compose Faye’s updates each month sent me the photo of Fay on the left—high atop a ramp, snuggled into her bed gravity-blanket-style, back turned to the world.

When I saw the photo, I actually thought it was so adorably funny that I showed it to my students—a room full of post-Millennial college freshmen, one of whom said, “That’s a whole mood.”

Indeed, it is. Despite Faye’s optimistic health report, she’s having a mood. How can we tell? Well, for one thing, she (still) refuses to poop when she is crated for stool checks. How’s that for stubborn? She’s left us no choice but to observe her litterbox behaviors throughout the day. We have to request that anyone who visits in Suite B keep an eye (and nose) out to see when—and if—Faye uses her box. Additionally, Faye had a mild eye infection that cleared up early in the month. Good grief! We’re so happy that she’s responding so well to her medication, but she’s . . . well . . . having a mood.

I started thinking about how wonderful that actually is, though. Sometimes, friends, life is rough—and not in one of those cute-kitty-hang-in-there-memes sorts of ways. All of us get frustrated, feel lonely, get grumpy, struggle through sickness, and we simultaneously feel obligated to keep all the feelings to ourselves when all we really want to do it take a step back and unapologetically feel our authentic, crummy feelings.

So, this Valentine’s Day, if you’re happy, celebrate! Eat all the candy hearts, wine and dine and dance like no one’s watching. But if you happen to feel lonely or brokenhearted or disappointed or gloomy, know that you are loved exactly as you are, no matter what you’re feeling. And if all you really want to do is climb high atop a ramp, or snuggle into your bed gravity-blanket-style, or temporarily turn your back to the world, Faye promises to meet you there.

We love you, Valentine. Thank you for being part of Faye’s journey, through the good times and the bad. Faye sends you a heart full of love and looks forward to catching up with you again next month. We’ll talk again soon, friends . . .

Your correspondent,
Beth