Bren's TLC Shoppe

02/27/2023

Honey,
I don't care if you love me or even like me, but you will respect me.
I may be a little rough around the edges and maybe not always “appropriate”, but that’s who I am and frankly, it’s part of my charm.
I don't need your approval or judgement of my life.
Love isn't about changing to fit your ideals of what I should be,
So please stop criticizing me or take your opinion elsewhere.
Love doesn't make someone be something they're not, and I’ll easily walk away if you think that’s how this is going to go.
I am beautiful in some of the ways you think I need to change and I don't care what you think I should wear, do, think or say.
This is my life and I’ve fought hard and earned the right to live it as I choose to.
I survived some messed up stuff in my life, and even more than that, I’m standing here, strong, sassy and smiling.
You didn’t know the attitude and zeal that was hiding behind these hazel windows, did you?
There’s much more to this pretty face than a happy smile..
Rather, a whole lot of depth, soul and fire to this gal, so be careful what you wish for.
I’m not just another flavor of the rainbow, I’m all the flavors wrapped up in one.
This is my life and my path.
If you want to walk beside me, I will extend my hand.
If you think you're gonna walk in front of me and look over your shoulder, then think again.
I don't need your love or anyone else's, I’m happy doing life just as I’ve always done it- solo, strong and happy.
I love myself for who I am and that's enough.
If you have a problem with that, then you can hit the road.
If you don't love what I have to offer, someone else will.
You can't change me and neither can love.
I'm perfectly messed up and beautifully flawed just the way I am.
That's my version of love, and come hell or high water,
I’m not settling, sacrificing or changing.
Can you handle my truth?
|ravenwolf

Check out my entire collection of books:
https://houseofravenwolf.com/collections/frontpage/products/ravenwolfs-complete-works-books-1-7-with-bonus-signed-unsigned-versions-available

09/03/2022

Bren’s closed closed her doors when the coronavirus hit! We had to close I had it open mostly to help people it should’ve been a nonprofit!!! She sure helped a lot of people and We miss each and everyone of you! 

02/03/2022

So True

As I sit and think about my life-
Where I’ve been, what I’ve done..even the challenges I’ve faced-
Something stands out at me every time.
There were many times that I’ve wanted something so badly…
Whether it was a new job, a potential love, even the small things, too,
I always ended up finding my way to something better than what I set out to get.
At the time, all I could focus on was that I was disappointed and discouraged about not getting what I wanted…
But now that time has passed,
I realize that everything happens for a reason..
And it’s always because I deserved better.
A better love story, a higher quality job, even a more appealing future.
Every door that closed led me to the door I was always meant to enter.
Truthfully, I couldn’t be more thankful for the broken hearts that taught me and strengthened me, dead ends that opened my eyes and setbacks that turned into comebacks.
I couldn’t see it at the time, but everything happens the way it is meant to..
And that’s not comforting when you’re hurting.
But the older I’ve gotten and the more stuff that I’ve been through, I realize that the bigger picture of my life isn’t something I’ll always see when I’m in the middle of a struggle.
I have to hold onto the fact that I deserve the best out of life and I’m never going to settle for less.
So, as I sit back and take a sip of my drink, I can’t help but smile just a little.
Every broken road has led me right to where I’m meant to be..
And I’m going to make the most out of every opportunity, each day and all the dreams I have for myself…
I’m worth that…and so much more.
|ravenwolf

Check out my entire collection of books:
https://houseofravenwolf.com/collections/frontpage/products/ravenwolfs-complete-works-books-1-7-with-bonus-signed-unsigned-versions-available

12/08/2021

I knew what I had to do, but it didn’t mean the choice would hurt any less knowing that.
I had to let you go, because after all we have been through, I grew to realize that we weren’t meant for forever.
The fights, the hurtful words and things you’ve said and done weren’t the actions of someone that I could ever see myself spending my life with.
That doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt, because I know that part of me will always love you..yet,in spite of everything, my heart isn’t ready to let you go, even though I know I must.
I’ve been fighting for us for so long that I just can’t anymore- especially since you don’t want to fight with me.
It’s time for me to take my joy and find my own happiness again, because somewhere along the way I lost it in us.
Part of me thinks that’s the way you wanted it- for me to depend so completely on you for everything…so that no matter how badly you treated me, I’d never leave you.
I’m stronger than that..I just let my heart do the thinking for longer than I should..
But now, I’m resolute that my only path forward is alone..
It’s what I need to reawaken the parts of me that you lulled to sleep.
The only way I’ll ever truly be happy is to love and accept myself the way I’ve always deserved..
And it’s become painfully obvious that you’ll never do the same.
You’d prefer to manipulate and control me, not love me as I am and could be..
I don’t know if you ever really loved me for who I was, the more I think about it.
So, as I let you go, know that you’ll always be special to me, but some people belong in your heart, not your life.
I’m losing you so that I can find me again.
It’s scary, it hurts, but I know that some day in my future, I’ll look back and realize it was the best thing I ever did.
|ravenwolf

Here is my complete set of work, available all together:
https://houseofravenwolf.com/collections/frontpage/products/ravenwolfs-complete-works-signed-unsigned-versions-available

12/03/2021

It took me a long time, a lot of sleepless nights and buckets of tears, but I’m finally getting closer to healing.
Sure, the pain of where I’ve been, what I’ve been through and the struggles of my past is still there..
Only now, I can tell my story without the tears, the overwhelming sadness and aching that used to accompany the tale of my past.
It’s not been easy, confronting the road I’ve traveled and the bad choices, broken hearts and hurtful times…
But I’m so much closer to where I want to be now.
I’ve been blessed with caring friends, a strong will and my innate desire to never stay down.
For so long, I ran from the truth, hid from the reality and tried to bury the pain of the past..
I thought that would be how I could break free from the things that were trying to bring me down..
But the more I ignored and pushed aside the emotional turmoil from yesteryear, the more painful it became.
I learned a very hard lesson in that time- I could never move past what had happened until I dealt with it…
Truly addressing the parts of my journey that were still festering wounds was the only way I’d ever know peace.
I won’t tell you it’s been easy, painless or quick, because it hasn’t been.
But making the choice to confront the bleeding baggage from my past was the only way I’d ever finally make peace with it.
Countless tears, sleepless nights and lots of soul searching led me down a hard path to healing, understanding and most of all, letting it go.
So, now, when someone asks me about those times long gone, I can faintly muster a smile,
Look them in the eye and tell my story without crying.
Finally, after all this time, I’m something I haven’t been in a long time..
I’m free.
|ravenwolf

Check out my trilogy of paperback books:
https://houseofravenwolf.com/collections/frontpage/products/paperback-trilogy-ravenwolfs-light-series

11/30/2021

L

I know you’re scared to trust anyone again and I understand why, I truly do.
I realize you’ve been hurt so badly before and you just don’t know if you can give yourself fully to anyone, ever again.
I’m here, standing before you telling you that I don’t have any expectations of you...I don’t want anything more than your time.
I know you’re worth any amount of time and I’m willing to do whatever it takes to earn your trust and love..no matter how long that may be.
I’ve never met a more wonderful person with a beautiful soul- from the moment we met, you’ve amazed me with everything you are.
I know your walls are high and your heart is guarded, and I don’t blame you because I understand why.
I don’t know exactly how you feel, but I’ve been in a similar place and I’m committed to sharing all of who I am with you..
My hopes, my dreams, my fears, my vulnerabilities- everything that makes me ..me.
I know neither of us is perfect, but with time, patience, communication and love, I believe we might just find the perfect love story.
It won’t be easy, but then, nothing worth having ever is.
So, I stand before you, beholden and open,willing to be here for you and walk with you, hand in hand, as we grow together, day by day.
I don’t have all the answers, but I do know this..
You’re worth everything to me and I look forward to spending my days building a future with you.
Storms will come and days might sometimes be hard, but you don’t have to face it alone anymore.
So, for now, let’s just take it slow.
We have plenty of time..forever is ours and dreams don’t have expirations.
Me, you and tomorrow..for always.
|Ravenwolf

Check out my trilogy of paperback books:
https://houseofravenwolf.com/collections/frontpage/products/paperback-trilogy-ravenwolfs-light-series