from my inbox:
Jano (day 48): “Happy Valentines Day Belle and to all the Belle-ettes, Belle-arinas, Belle-anistas, Belle-zoids, Belle-hearts, Belle-isimas, Belle-adonnas, Belle-astics, Belle-ificents, and abundantly Belle-fuls. Our precious, precious lives…. can you believe how lucky we are to have found each other? Big love, Jano.”
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Primrose (day 103): “Dear lovely Belle, any thing I say here will be inadequate to express how grateful I am to you for Team 100 and your support. I really couldn’t be more thankful if you had seen me, a total stranger, drowning in a swiftly flowing river, and thrown me a lifeline and pulled me out. Because that is what you have done. You are a lifeline, Belle.
You are also a cheerleader, an entertainer, and someone who is quite prepared to administer a good kick in the pants when required. Just you being there to email is a huge, huge thing.
Specifically, I was enormously grateful when I emailed you in distress over the holidays … Also, I am really enjoying the podcasts. I didn’t subscribe to them at first because I wanted to leave something in reserve as an extra tool if I needed it. However I am finding if I listen to the older ones again after some period of time I always pick up something new from it, because I am at a different stage in my sobriety by then. You have accompanied me on many car journeys and I must tell you that I always say “Bye!!!” back to you at the end of each podcast 🙂
I have decided that the best way I can thank you for all the support and inspiration is to stay sober. So that is what I’m going to do.
Thank you, dear Belle, from the bottom of my heart. Primrose xxx”
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Erinup (day 222): “I hope today you are able to appreciate all of the love that is being sent your way. You have touched the lives of thousands of people. There are [770] people that have committed to your challenge but in addition to those people there are thousands more that read and are inspired by what you are doing and sharing. You have created a community. You have filled a void. You created something good and powerful and meaningful. This is truly an amazing thing you have done. I know that without you and this challenge I would likely have faltered especially early on in the process. I am in your debt.
I also hope today you are able to sit back and enjoy your sobriety. I hope you take some quiet time to appreciate the life you are building without alcohol and the clarity you have in your business and personal relationships. I know not everything is unicorns and rainbows, but the worst day sober is better than the best day of drinking or being hungover. If I were with you today I would give you a hug and tell you how wonderful you are and then I would cut the cake that someone else made for you!
Enjoy enjoy enjoy! I raise my dessert fork to you today! Erinup.”
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Very we’ll said, can it sign my name too! You are an angel…. Words can’t express… Big hugs….and love, mel
Yes Belle, thank you for over 100 beautiful days. Days with clear eyes, clear mind, deep,sleep and over course No Hangovers.
Happy Valentines Day Belle. Sending love your way. 250 days today and crediting you and your team for my success! Hugs, Trish
Happy Heart Day to all of you in sober-ville. Wonderful lives are yours for the taking; I’m proud of every one of you and Belle for holding us all together with her words and drink ideas and bracelets–it’s so much better sober.
Love this and much love to you for all you’ve done for me!
Joyce
Ditto. Love, hugs, kisses, love, hugs, love, love and hugs for you Belle. Today and every day. And to all you other Belle-believers out there.
Yes, thank you Belle. Finding you and the 100 Day Challenge has given me back my life. You and all the other people that communicate on your blog are so, so helpful…not trying this alone was key for me. And, of course, all the other sage advice you give has just been the icing on the cake. Much love to you today, Belle, and to all of my other friends here.
What beautiful and deserved sentiments.
I agree with nomorewine4me!! Dido on all of it! I sit here at 100 days and it’s all because of you, you lovely woman! Thanks!!!
I love reading these love letters being sent to you today. Touching and true. So deserved. I raise my dessert fork as well. Thank you, Belle. Damn…now I’m crying…a heart full of gratitude will do that!
LD
Copy and paste everything they said and sign my name. I’ve told you before, you saved my life. For all the hugs you’ve sent my way, here’s one back 🙂
Sharon
happy valentines Belle-fuls! May the day be filled with love and hope!
Day 41 – 100 club
Fuck Wolfie, give me cupcakes instead!
Belle-ivas! I’ll stop there…but will also say “thank you” to Belle, and to the group at large. I made it to over 100 days, then fumbled and reset. This is the longest period of non-self-medicating I’ve done in years. And I am grateful.