In the journey of life, we often encounter obstacles that challenge our identity and self-acceptance. One such obstacle, which I have encountered personally, is the burden of shame. It's a weight that keeps us small, confined to what others expect us to be. For a long time, my greatest shame was knowing I was different, aware that embracing my true self could cost me family and friends. But this is a story of transformation, a story of how I learned to love my shames and turn them into celebrations. It's a story of freedom born from love.