Dissatisfaction with her own appearance undermined Tracy's faith that there would be a man who would call her beautiful. It deprived her of hope that someone would provide her with a strong and reliable shoulder that she could always lean on. Reconciled with the idea that she would never hear a declaration of love. But Tracy was wrong: she met Edward, who was attracted by the beauty of her soul, kind heart, and purity. He gave her faith in herself. He gave her hope for happiness. And he said the most important words in every woman’s life: “I love you.”

Note 2020: Published under the pseudonym Ruth Valentine, but authored by Janelle Denison.