Moonlit Missives is my February series dedicated to writing love letters to individuals and communities deserving of recognition and respect. Valentine’s Day is the perfect opportunity to express love, appreciation, and remind others of their visibility and significance. Through these heartfelt letters, I hope to uplift, honor, and celebrate those who often go unrecognized.
I took things slow in January, and it felt good to do so. I feel relaxed and ready. While much of the world may seem unsteady, harsh, and chaotic, I refuse to let those energies seep into my aura.
February has always been one of my favorite months. It’s the month I became a mama, and both of my beloved girls are February babies. That means we spend the month celebrating them and the incredible marks they’ve made in this big, bold world and all that lies ahead.
It’s also the month of love—a time to cherish the many people I hold dear. I have so many valentines and galentines, each worthy of honor and appreciation. Lately, I’ve been reflecting on who I want to celebrate and how, which led me to the idea of Moonlit Missives—a series where I end the day with a love letter.
I don’t know if it will take off or become a thing, but if it means something to someone, then I’ll consider it mission accomplished.
I decided that my first love letter would be a universal one—meant for any soul in need of something, anything, really. But most of all, it is for those who long to feel valued and seen.
This is a love letter to the lonely and afraid.
To the Lonely and Afraid,
It is a strange and difficult thing to admit either, yet I believe—wholeheartedly—that each of us, at some point in our lives, will find ourselves one, the other, or both.
Lonely does not mean alone. Some of my loneliest moments have been in crowded rooms, overwhelmed by a sea of personalities and problems. Loneliness is not the absence of people but the absence of feeling seen. When you feel it, don’t look outward—look inward. Loneliness is not your enemy; it is a messenger. Listen to it. Whatever or whomever you seek is possible, but do not deny or shy away from being lonely. Welcome it, warmly. For to truly understand solitude means that one day, when love and connection arrive, you will cherish them all the more deeply.
If you have lost a great love, do not let its power fade—channel it. If you are missing sincere and kind friendship, keep hoping, keep believing. The universe has a way of bringing kindred spirits together.
And to the afraid—this world can be dark and daunting. The news, the politics, the endless tide of uncertainty can make it feel as if fear is tightening its grip on every corner of life. But fear, like loneliness, is not all-powerful. It is not absolute.
Hope is real. Love is real. Even in your darkest moments, when the weight of existence feels unbearable, remember: you are seen. You are valued. You are not alone.
With love,
Katie
The Forty Files 