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Meeting Invitation
Meeting Invitation

28 results for love -

    Bakhtawar Ahmed bakhto22
    **Embracing the Ethereal: A Celebration of White Flower Blossoms**

    In the tapestry of nature's grandeur, few sights rival the delicate allure of white flower blossoms. These ethereal blooms, with their pristine petals and subtle fragrances, evoke a sense of purity and serenity that captivates the soul. Whether nestled in a verdant garden, adorning a tree branch, or scattered across a meadow like scattered pearls, each white blossom tells a story of beauty and resilience.

    **The Elegance of White Blossoms**

    White blossoms, in their simplicity, exude a timeless elegance that transcends seasons. In spring, they herald renewal and hope, blanketing orchards and gardens with promises of abundance. Against the backdrop of lush greenery, their purity stands out, drawing admiration and inspiring contemplation. Each petal, a testament to nature's intricate design, delicately unfolds to reveal a pristine heart—a beacon of tranquility amidst life's bustling rhythms.

    **Symbolism and Cultural Significance**

    Across cultures and centuries, white blossoms have held deep symbolism. They embody purity, innocence, and spiritual enlightenment. In many traditions, they symbolize new beginnings, making them popular choices for weddings and ceremonies. The Japanese revere the cherry blossom (sakura) for its transient beauty, celebrating it with hanami—a tradition of enjoying the blossoms under spring's fleeting embrace. Meanwhile, in Western cultures, white roses symbolize love and reverence, gracing weddings and commemorations alike.

    **A Symphony of Fragrance and Form**

    Beyond their visual splendor, white blossoms enchant with their subtle fragrances. Jasmine whispers its sweet aroma on warm summer evenings, while magnolia releases its heady perfume in the early morning light. Each bloom adds a unique note to nature's olfactory symphony, inviting us to pause and immerse ourselves in their sensory delights.

    **Preserving Nature's Treasures**

    As guardians of our environment, we bear a collective responsibility to protect these natural wonders. Climate change and habitat loss threaten the habitats of white blossoms and other flora. By cultivating awareness and advocating for conservation efforts, we can ensure future generations continue to marvel at these exquisite gifts of nature.

    **Conclusion: A Call to Appreciation**

    In the fleeting beauty of white flower blossoms, we find solace and inspiration. They remind us to cherish life's ephemeral moments and embrace the beauty that surrounds us. Let us cultivate gardens of the soul where these blossoms bloom eternal, and in doing so, nurture a deeper connection to the natural world. As we celebrate their elegance and resilience, may we also pledge to preserve and protect these delicate marvels for generations to come.

    In the quiet majesty of white flower blossoms, let us discover the enduring poetry of nature's embrace.
    37 0

    Erica Svendsen boldtruthmama
    Social media is a search engine. Learn how to get found. Marketing





    If you're on social media but no one's finding you, you're not a ghost—you’re just invisible.

    Let’s have a little truth fest, shall we?

    You keep posting. You're dancing. You're showing your iced coffee. You're even dropping wisdom that should get you a book deal. But the only one liking your stuff is your aunt Tammy and that one MLM girl who’s always “cheering you on.”

    Mama, let me say this with love and a strong shot of espresso (decaf if you're off caffeine like a psycho):
    Social media is not just for showing up. It's for getting found.

    That’s right. Instagram. TikTok. Pinterest. Facebook. Even LinkedIn if you’re feeling fancy.
    They’re not just platforms — they are search engines in glitter and crop tops.
    Social Media = Search Engine (Yes, Really)

    Let me break it down like your toddler breaks down when you cut the sandwich the wrong way.

    All of these platforms have search bars. You know what that means?
    People are typing things like:

    “Mom blog”

    “Easy vegan toddler meals”

    “Freelance writing tips”

    “Jesus and coffee memes” (okay maybe that’s just me)

    If your profile isn’t optimized, you could be serving up exactly what they need—and still be chilling in the shadow realm of the algorithm. No ma’am. We don’t do invisible over here.
    1. Your Name Is Prime Real Estate

    Stop putting “✨Mama of 3✨” in your name field. I love your babies, but that’s not what people are searching.

    Instead, tell the algorithm what you do.
    Example:
    Erica | SEO Copywriter for Moms
    or
    Jess | Pinterest Coach for Bloggers

    Now when someone types “Pinterest coach,” boom. You’re in the game.
    2. Your Bio Is a Mini Sales Page

    That little box? It’s not a throwaway. It's not for inspirational quotes. It’s for hooking followers like the savvy mama boss you are.

    Format cheat code:

    👋 Who you help
    💡 What you help them do
    🔗 Your freebie or offer

    Example:
    Helping writer moms grow their blog + make bank online 💸
    👇 Grab the free SEO checklist

    Short. Sassy. Searchable. Yes please.
    3. Keywords. Yep, Even on Instagram.

    Pinterest mamas already know the power of keywords. But IG? TikTok? Yes girl. They’ve been creeping on your captions this whole time.

    Use the exact words your dream audience would type. You’re not just posting a reel. You’re posting a searchable piece of content.

    Instead of:
    “Loved making this for dinner!”
    Try:
    “Easy one-pan vegan meal for busy moms 🍽️ #veganrecipes #quickdinnerideas #momlifehacks”

    Don’t keyword stuff. We’re not robots. But do give the platform something to latch onto.
    4. Hashtags Aren’t Dead, They’re Just Boring If You Use ‘#Blessed’

    Choose hashtags that are specific to your niche and content. Think of them as little roads leading people to your profile.

    #MomBloggerTips

    #ChristianMomsWhoWrite

    #FreelanceWritingLife

    #FaithBasedBiz

    Keep a rotating list. And for the love of viral reach, don’t just copy and paste the same 30 dead hashtags on every post.
    5. Your Content Needs to Scream “Hey Algorithm, Pick Me!”

    Here’s the hard truth, boo:

    If you're just vibing, you're blending in.

    Your content needs to answer questions, solve problems, or entertain in a way that makes the algorithm go, “Ooh, I know someone who’d love this.”

    So instead of vague captions like,
    “Just showing up today 🥰”
    Try:
    “Here’s how I built a blog that gets 1,000+ monthly visits—with no tech degree and 3 kids screaming in the background.”

    Because THAT, my friend, is search engine gold.
    Final Word from Your Favorite Truth-Teller

    You’re not too late. You’re not too old. You’re not too small.
    You’re just not searchable—yet.

    Social media doesn’t reward mystery. It rewards clarity.
    So rewrite that bio. Add keywords to your captions. Use that name field like your business depends on it—because it kinda does.

    And if you're still feeling stuck, don’t worry—I got you.
    Follow me for more great tips or DM me with questions.


    Now go make the algorithm your sidekick, Mama.
    You’re building an empire—and empires don’t hide.
    24 0

    Tabbie wismer tabb111e
    posting a short story on here... go easy on me!
    ---
    It’s a lot easier to get away with listening to music in class when the teacher doesn’t even realize you’re there. Which is most of the time. Sitting in the back, you can have the Diskman on the desk and everything. They don’t see. Maybe in freshman year they’d care. But a senior with such little time left? They don’t even bother to say hi when you walk in the door. Fine with me, though. I have more on my mind than some teacher who wouldn’t know me from Cynthia in their fourth period.
    I had just pressed play on my music when Brandon walked into class, taking his normal seat next to me– as much as I wished he’d sit somewhere else today. He settled into the seat, the desk almost comically too small for his long, tall frame. He looked over at me with a smile, his blue eyes as vibrant as ever. “Hey, Val,” he greeted.
    I could not share in his enthusiasm. I simply nodded and replied, “Hey,” before turning my attention back to the window.
    “Uh… what’s wrong, man? You seem… sad.” I couldn’t see his face, but he sounded confused, and that probably meant he was doing that ******, pathetic, adorable head tilt he did when he didn’t get something.
    I force myself to look over at him again, shaking my head as if that would convince him. “Nothing, nothing… really.”
    Brandon opened his mouth to reply, but then Carli walked in and that would prove the end of the conversation for now. She took the desk next to him, his eyes lit up as he greeted her, gently pulled the baby pink backpack off of her shoulders and slung an arm around her when she settled in her seat.
    I watched out of the corner of my eye. And I told myself I didn’t care. But I cared. A lot. I turned to stare out the window again, hurt but slightly relieved– at least I didn’t have to explain myself, because now he was preoccupied with his girl. I pressed play on my Diskman again, not caring about whatever the teacher was going to yap about.

    Golden Valley High School was already **** as a school, but it was only amplified fifty times over now by the fact that Brandon had essentially abandoned me for Carli. At least before he would come sit behind the stairway with me during lunch… Now I’m just alone, hoping nobody would spot me. I wasn’t even eating, just hiding from the student body of idiots. By now, usually Brandon would’ve made me head out behind the school while he smoked, but… those days were gone, I guess. He was probably sitting with Carli instead now.
    Suddenly, the light from the windows was blocked, and there stood Carli herself and some of her girl posse. I forced myself to look up and meet her gaze, which was rather taunting.
    And I really couldn’t do much about it. Nobody would believe me. Carli had perfect grades and was up for valedictorian, wore bright clothes, and had the sweet girl act down flat. I didn’t say anything because I simply felt I had nothing to contribute, and I’d just let her do her bragging.
    “Hi, Valencia. I had a question… Do you have a date for the prom?” her grin is wicked, and I know she’s just trying to rub it in, or whatever.
    “I don’t think I’m even gonna go, so what do you care?” I reply, trying to stay cynical and cold, but knowing she’s got the better of me.
    “Oh, that’s a shame. I’m going with Brandon, but you know that already,” followed by Carli’s nerd chic girl gang breaking up into giggles.
    “Awesome. Have fun,” I stand up, slinging my bag over my shoulder, trying to give her the coldest shoulder I possibly can as I walk away.
    To my surprise, they don’t follow me. They continue to laugh and ridicule me in the stairway, but they don’t trail after me. I cross my arms, staring down at my Doc Martens instead of being responsible and looking where I’m going. I start to wonder why he didn’t choose me. I mean, we were a thousand times closer than him and Carli were. Sure, she helped him do calculus homework, and she would call him at LEAST three times a week– often when we were on the phone together– but I understood him better. We spent more time together.
    The bell rang and interrupted my wallowing, and I realized I was supposed to have gone to my history class by now. And I decided that sounded torturous while I was already brooding over my losses, so I decided to go hide. Maybe I’d ditch the rest of the day. It’s not like we had much longer before graduating and getting the **** out of here anyway.
    The halls were mostly empty save for the occasional guy or girl scurrying hurriedly to class. I passed by the various classrooms with my head down, still thinking… until I almost slammed myself into a locker from being so spaced out. That managed to snap me back to reality. I recollected my head, reminding myself that this is the last time and place I need to have a grievous injury.
    Then I heard someone else slam into a locker, and I had to check myself to make sure I hadn’t accidentally hit my head. Reassuring myself I had no cuts or bruises or missing teeth, I looked over to see if I could find the source of the noise, and my eyes might as well have burst out of the sockets to see Brandon and Carli going at it against the shiny red metal doors. Like, tongues shoved down each others’ throats and everything. I wanted to die.
    I concealed myself behind an adjacent wall, but I wasn’t strong enough to resist, and I peeked out at them again. It was cliche, but I had a mix of emotions inside at this– disappointment (because I’m jealous), disgust (because it’s school and they should get a room), exhaustion (because I hadn’t slept more than four hours a night after this entire situation started). I turned back around, becoming one with the wall again as I considered my options. I was ready to walk away until I heard the click-click-clack of heels on the speckled linoleum, and my heart sunk. A teacher.
    But as I caught a glimpse of said teacher– it was Mrs. Chamberlain, my creative writing teacher– I realized I could game this to my advantage. As she passed, she smiled and waved to me.
    “Hello, Valencia,” but before she could continue, I pointed towards the public display. “Hello… uh… there’s a situation.”
    Her brown eyes followed my finger to the couple kissing passionately against the locker, and her jaw genuinely dropped.
    “T-thank you for letting me know, Valencia. I’ll see you in class tomorrow,” and she immediately headed towards the pair. I watched with a barely-restrained mischievous grin on my face, feeling rather vindicated as she chewed the couple out and forced them to follow her to the office. They walked off with an air of absolute shame, and it was enough to console me for a while longer, and I finally turned to walk out.

    I had ditched that hellhole for the rest of the day and headed home. I could take advantage of the fact that nobody was home and wouldn’t be for a while. I had probably watched about four hours of South Park reruns until I heard the doorbell ring. I groaned– I was feeling too lazy to get up– but I hoisted myself off the couch and trudged to the door.
    It was Brandon. My eyes widened, and I wondered if he knew I was behind the makeout incident.
    All I could do was try to be cool. “Hey man,” I greeted him, my disposition nonchalant and almost bored.
    He looked ******, and it almost freaked me out. “I ******’ hate that place, Val,” he answered.
    “Yeah, nice to see you too. I’m good, what about you?” I replied, my voice dripping with sarcasm. A hello would be nice, y'know?
    Normally he would at least crack a smile, but his expression only soured. “I got ******’ detention for a week, dude. ‘Cause that ***** Mrs. Chamberlain caught me and Carli kissing in the hallway during class.”
    I wanted to laugh, because the entire situation still thrilled me, but I choked it down and simply nodded. “****, that *****. Hope you didn’t have any plans.”
    He scoffed and shook his head in irritation before pulling a pack of cigarettes out of his pocket. “I was supposed to help Carli pick out matching outfits for prom tomorrow, but I guess we’ll have to reschedule,” he grumbled while lighting the slender white stick.
    “Bro, you probably shouldn’t smoke on my porch. Not after last time. You almost burned my house down,” I smirked, my tone teasing.
    Brandon rolled his eyes. “Yeah, yeah, whatever,” though he did move off onto the driveway. I shut the door and followed, my eyes tracing over his baggy jeans and worn out Offspring T-shirt, the combat boots, the backwards hat of some baseball team that I couldn’t be bothered to keep up with.
    He stopped somewhere by the garage and took a drag from the cigarette. “So, Val. I was wondering. If you could take anybody to prom, who would you choose? I feel like I haven’t asked since, like, sophomore year, and I think it would make more sense to ask when prom is, you know, a few weeks away,” he chuckled, the grey smoke filtering out of his nose and mouth as he laughed softly.
    I knew my answer, but he couldn’t, so I gave an alternate answer. “Uh, Billy Corgan. But not current, bald Billy… but, like, Gish-era Billy with the long hair. He was super hot,” I grinned. “Or, if it can include fictional characters, Todd, the, like, ****** video store clerk from Dr. Katz.”
    Brandon laughed again. “Yeah, I know you’re into that. But I meant, like, a real person. Like someone from school or whatever.”
    Now it was my turn to roll my eyes. “Uh, how about nobody? I hate that place and all the people in it.”
    “Oh, come on, Val, nobody? I knew you were picky, but there’s really not a single dude you’re hoping to score a date with at Golden Valley?”
    I shook my head. “Nope, not any of them. They’re all weird. In a bad way.” Technically, I was telling the truth– I wouldn’t go with any of them, but I’d go with him… but that wasn’t an option, I suppose.
    He let out yet another huff of laughter. “Fair enough. I just figured maybe you’d find someone you could put up with for at least a night. Like how I found Carli.”
    Hearing him mention Carli made my smile drop. Before I could think, I responded. “Hm, yeah, well, why aren't you with Carli now? Since you’ve been inseparable lately.”
    His eyebrows raised, probably in surprise at my somewhat bitter tone. “Oh, uh, she had to go home for dinner or whatever.”
    I nodded, accepting this information begrudgingly. “Good to know. So, will you be heading out soon to see her?”
    He nodded. “Yeah, she’s pretty shaken up about this whole incident, so I guess I should go… comfort her and all that.”
    Of course he was ditching me to go check on her. I crossed my arms, trying to play it off as a casual movement. “Yeah, yeah, cool. Guess someone like her isn’t used to a thing like that.” There was a moment of tense silence until I spoke up again, ready to get rid of him. “We should probably get out of the driveway, my mom’ll probably be home soon,” though that was a lie as far as I knew.
    He nodded, dropped the cigarette and stomped it out. “Yeah, I should probably head over to Carli’s anyway… see you later, Val,” he half-smiled with a wave before walking off just as fast as he’d shown up.
    I had taken a few steps toward the front door, but stopped to look back and watch as he walked away, presumably toward Carli’s. I leaned against one of the porch’s columns, my arms crossed as I watched his tall, slender figure grow smaller and smaller into the distance… and I started to feel sort of sad again. I guess the rush of making him and Carli suffer had already worn off. I sighed heavily, walking back inside with a sense of defeat.

    Inside the house, a voicemail awaited me from Mom.
    ‘Hi, Valencia. Just calling to let you know that I’m not gonna be home until tomorrow, since your Aunt Maureen asked if I could watch the dogs for her while she goes to some party over in Greenfield. You know how she is about those dogs… so, please, dear, make sure to eat, and please try not to mope around anymore. If you want money to order or anything, feel free to go into the bedside drawer in my room. Love you, sweetie! See you soon!’
    I picked up the phone, but I didn't call Mom. Instead, I called the only girl I could count on.
    “Hello? Val, is that you?” her voice echoed through the receiver.
    “Aysel, you should come over,” I replied. “My mom isn’t here. Also I kinda need to, like, not be alone right now.”
    “Is this about Brandon?” Aysel sighed. “But yeah. I’ll be there in a minute.”
    “Cool, see you soon…” I trailed off a bit before hanging up the phone.
    The cool thing is that Aysel really was there in about a minute, because she only lived a street over. And as she walked in, wearing the winking kitty cat tee I had helped her pick out at the mall a few months ago, her tanned skin darkened by the house’s dim lighting, I felt a wave of relief cross me. When all else failed, I had Aysel.
    “Yo, Val. So, is this about Brandon or what?” She raised an eyebrow at me, but she had a barely there smile.
    “Yeah… it’s been… a weird day,” I stuttered out.
    Aysel sinks down into the couch. “Tell me… let it out,” she pressed, as discussing the Brandon situation had been commonplace these past couple of weeks.
    “I’m just… ******, I guess,” I flop onto the couch beside her, staring up at the ceiling. “Like, I’ve been the one that’s there, but he still goes for that Carli *****,” I gritted my teeth a bit, growing more irritated. “And today, oh my god, you should’ve seen it, Aysel. They were straight up making out in the hallway. And nobody else was around, I was the only one seeing it until my creative writing teacher came out of nowhere. I was really mad, right? So I snitched on them and she made them go to the office,” I smirked, chuckling darkly. “It was actually pretty awesome.”
    Aysel shared my amusement and laughed loudly. “He deserved it!”
    “Right?! And then he had the audacity to show up here and complain to me after abandoning me for her for days.”
    “He’s an idiot. If I was a man, I’d be terrified of ever losing you.”
    “I really don’t know what I’d do without you. Probably kill myself.”
    Aysel chuckled again. “You cannot kill yourself over this. Don’t let that lanky idiot or that psycho mathlete win.”
    “I wish you were still at Golden Valley. It ****** at least slightly less **** when you were there.”
    “Yeah, well, my dad was pretty ****** after the Mark Johnston incident, so…,” she smirks. “Alternative school for me…”
    “But it was Mark’s fault,” I rolled my eyes, ready to rehash the same drama that we’d been discussing for the past year– but I digressed. “Man, senior year has been so *** without you there. Seriously. All I had was ******’ Brandon and he abadoned my *** for Carli.”
    “Maybe we could hit him with my brother’s car,” she grins.
    “Maybe we could put cyanide in all of his cigarettes.”
    “Maybe we could slash his tires.”
    “Or maybe… we could brainstorm while I order takeout?”

    It was a good night. Aysel knew how to make things better. I had done it when she broke up with that ****** Eric, and now she was comforting me. She stayed over, and we both ended up ditching our respective classes to get breakfast. And, over shared gossip and chocolate chip pancakes, things felt less gloomy. As we discussed our plans for the day– the record store to search for CDs, sitting in my room and pondering life, and of course, no class– I noticed ****** Carli and her right-hand-woman, Tiffany, walking in. I put my fork down, my eyes narrowing.
    Aysel followed my gaze, then scoffed. “Oh look, Miss Congeniality has graced us with her presence,” she rolls her eyes.
    I watched as the pair sat down across the cafe and looked down at the menus. Carli looked like she had been crying, and Tiffany made sure to state over and over again– loudly, mind you– ‘It’s not your fault, girl.’
    “More like it is your fault, girl,” Aysel whispered to me. I half-smiled, staring at them a bit longer before turning back to my plate.
    “Fighting over a guy is ****** usually. Except for this. I think I’m totally valid.”
    “I mean, you are. They’d, like, never spoken until they had calculus together this year, right? And you’ve been into him way longer.” She paused as she cut off another piece of French toast. “Actually, I bet his parents paid him to pick her as a date. You said he originally didn’t want to go at all, right?”
    I nodded. “Yeah, he told me he wasn’t gonna go up until maybe three weeks ago. Maybe he is being paid,” I snickered.
    Aysel shared my laughter. “I mean, it would make sense, considering they never really started hanging out until a few months ago, right? Maybe he’ll use the money to buy you an apology present.”
    I chuckled at the thought. “Yeah, right. A girl can dream, I guess.”

    Hours later, against the warm April sun, my mom confronted me as I sprawled across the couch.
    “C’mon, Val, you have to go to prom. I get that you’re sad about this Brandon thing, but you only get one chance, and you have to take it. What if you regret it later?”
    I shrugged. “I don’t care. I don’t have a date. Plus, why would I really wanna spend more time with these ******** I hate?”
    Mom grimaces slightly at my harsh words. “Because maybe it’ll still be fun…?”
    I simply shook my head.
    “But think about it, sweetheart. You can dress up! And so what if you don’t have a date? Why don’t you bring Aysel?”
    “I dunno,” I shrugged again, feeling completely apathetic to the idea. “I think after Brandon chose Carli, I just don’t care anymore.”
    “Oh, honey, he didn’t ‘choose’ anyone. Just because he’s going to prom with her doesn’t mean he likes her more than you.”
    I let out a small laugh of disbelief. “I think that’s exactly what it means.”
    I hear her sigh with defeat, yet she makes one last attempt to convince me. “You know what, Val? I’ll make you a deal. I’ll take you dress shopping right now. And if you see a dress that you really, genuinely love, no matter the price, I’ll buy it for you– but you have to go to the prom. Deal?”
    Something about this bargain struck a chord, and it’s not like I had anything better to do that night. So, I sat up and looked her in the eye. “Deal.”
    She raised her brows as if surprised her negotiations worked, and a grin crossed her face. “I’ll get my keys.”

    The mall was, surprisingly, not particularly busy for a Friday night, but it still had all the classic elements– the irresistible soft pretzel and Cinnabon scents lacing the air, teenage friend groups representing every and all cliques, moms trying to make their small children cooperate while she picked clothes for them. Pop songs echoed through the wide, store-lined corridors. Mom pulled me into that store that has all the pretty, fancy, shimmery formal dresses, and I was honestly a bit overwhelmed at the sheer amount of options.
    “Go crazy, girlfriend,” Mom encouraged me, sort of pushing me towards one of the racks. Before I could reply, she walked away, settling onto a bench near the storefront. I sighed softly, turning my head towards the various dresses. Digging through my size section, there was so much variety– satin, tulle, cotton, spandex, pink and yellow and white and red and rainbow… and yet none of it was something I wanted to wear. Initially, I felt sort of relieved, because then I didn’t have to go. That’s when I saw the dress.
    It was floor-length, with a red satin material under a black, mesh-type outer layer, adorned with velvet swirl designs and a spaghetti-strapped halter neck.
    “Guess you’ll be going after all,” Mom’s voice echoed behind me, and I could hear the ‘told you so’ smirk in her tone.
    “I- uh… yeah, I guess you’re right…” I huffed out defeatedly, my eyes still glued to the dress.
    “Why don’t you go try it on? Just to make sure it doesn’t need to be altered or anything like that,” Mom smiled softly, taking hold of my arm to lead me towards the small dressing room area.
    Like it was some cheesy high school movie, it was a perfect fit. It accentuated… everything… very nicely. I actually felt sort of pretty. I walked out of the room to show Mom, feeling a bit shy but overall pleased.
    Her face lit up, and from the looks of it, I think she was happier than I was. “Oh, Valencia… you look so beaut—”
    “Woah, Val, you look great!” A deep, familiar voice cut off Mom’s gushing. Imagine my shock to see Brandon standing nearby, carrying what was presumably a tux over his arm. “Seriously, that dress is like… you. In dress form,” he chuckled out awkwardly.
    I cursed internally– this must’ve been the time he and Carli rescheduled their prom shopping to.
    As if Mom wasn’t aware of the entire prom fiasco, she immediately began bombarding Brandon with her attention. “Oh, Brandon! Hi, dear! I haven’t seen you in a little while, how are you?”
    He answered, but I tuned them out. I walked back into the dressing room, and suddenly, despite the dress looking the exact same as it did before, I felt less pretty. If I was pretty, he would’ve asked me to go with him instead of Carli. If I was pretty, he probably would’ve asked me out long before that. If I was pretty, I wouldn’t be here right now.
    I unzipped the dress, hanging it back up on the hanger. I started feeling like I should just tell Mom, ‘Thanks, but no,’ and retreat back into the solitude of home, continuing with my plan to skip prom. But just as I walked back out, Mom scooped up the dress into her arms and immediately headed towards the register. My fate was sealed. I was going, whether I liked it or not.
    Brandon was still there, much to my chagrin. He smiled, and that smile made irritation bubble up in me. As unreasonable as it was, there was something about the fact that I was hurting and he was grinning innocently like nothing had happened that made me want to scream.
    “So… guess you’re coming to prom after all, hm?” His smile morphed into a teasing smirk.
    I crossed my arms, looking over at where Mom was paying for the dress. “Yeah, she’s makin’ me go. I guess if the worst comes to worst, I can Irish goodbye everyone and go somewhere else. Or I could fake being sick.”
    “Yeah, guess so,” he laughed a bit, a light, almost imperceptible laugh. It was more of a huff of air than anything. “Honestly, I think you should go. I mean, I’m going, and I said I wasn’t for the entirety of high school.”
    “Yeah, I know you did… but now you have Carli,” I sighed.
    “Well, fair enough. She’s the one who convinced me to change my mind.”
    “I’m guessing she’s here somewhere?” I gestured vaguely towards the racks of dresses.
    Brandon nodded. “Yeah, she decided on blue for our prom outfits and now she’s freaking out and running around the store to find the right shade of it or whatever.”
    “Cool, cool… I’m sure you’ll look… nice,” I force myself to give him a supportive grin.
    “Thanks, Val. I’m glad you changed your mind about going. It’ll be fun.”
    As the words left his lips, I wondered if he had even listened to anything I had just said. I stared up at him for a minute, and it truly felt like time had paused. I tried to regulate the tension I was feeling before fabricating another fake answer. “…Yeah, it’ll be cool, hopefully.”
    “Brandon!” Carli’s voice called loudly from the other side of the store, and I could see she was holding a slinky, royal blue evening gown up, probably wanting his opinion on it.
    “Be there in a second, okay, babe?” He yelled back to her before shooting me an apologetic look. “Sorry, Val. Gotta go help Carli. See you later, okay?” And before I could open my mouth, he was rushing off to Carli’s side.
    I probably looked ****** standing there, staring after the pair with my mouth agape. It was Mom who finally snapped me back to reality as she walked back towards me, my beautiful prom dress in one of those nice, striped shopping bags. She saw my staring and looked towards Brandon and Carli, then gave me a sympathetic smile. “Oh, honey. He doesn’t know what he’s missing. Let’s go get pizza.”

    The pizza was good. I spilled Pepsi on my pants, but they’re black so it was whatever. I successfully swallowed my tears until we got home, and I finally spilled them into my pillow. I tried to bully my mind; remind myself that crying over a boy was dumb, but it didn’t do the trick like it usually did. After a few minutes of soaking the red silk pillowcase, I looked up to the posters plastered all over the wall, my vision bleary from the tears. Most of them were guys. Guys who were much more accomplished, much more interesting, much more handsome than Brandon. But still I cried. Because, in that moment, what did it matter? He was still my guy, even if that wasn’t factual anymore.
    I jumped when the phone began to ring, and without even really thinking to check, I picked up the receiver.
    “H-hello?” my voice was shaky as I mumbled into the phone, trying to sound as put-together as possible.
    “Hey, Val,” Aysel’s voice spoke up on the other end. “I just got off the phone with Brandon. Said he saw you at the mall,” I could practically hear the smirk on her face. “So I wanted to ask what happened. He didn’t say much about it.”
    I swiped at the tear tracks on my cheeks as if she could see them. “Y-yeah, I saw him. My mom is making me go, so I had to get a dress. And he was there with Carli. He saw me trying on the dress and said I looked good or some ****, then he got all buddy-buddy with my mom,” I responded. “It ******. A lot. I kinda wanted to engage in some self-immolation.”
    Aysel snickered on the other end. “Clearly. I can tell you’re… displeased.”
    “What gave it away? The sniffling? The shake in my voice?”
    “No, that you didn’t totally fly off the handle and start talking five miles a minute at the mention of his name.”
    “Okay, you got me there.”
    “So, you’re being forced to go to prom?”
    “Yep. Mom was all like, ‘you’re gonna regret it when you’re my age,’ or whatever,” I sighed, doing a half-assed imitation of her voice.
    “That *****. Want me to be your makeshit date?”
    “Don’t you mean ‘makeshift?’”
    “No, makeshit. I want to cause problems. I have some unfinished business with Mark Johnston.”
    “Sounds fun. Guess you’re my plus one.”
    “Hey, that rhymed!”
    “Maybe I should start a rap career.”
    “That Carli diss track is going to be legendary.”
    “More like Brandon diss track at this rate. Or both. Something about two birds, one stone.”
    “Should we pull a Carrie and pour pig blood on both of them?”
    “Nah, pigs are too good for that. Maybe just food coloring? Or used tampons.”
    Aysel cackled on the other end. “Yeah, the tampons. Perfect.”
    “Yeah, it’d be satisfying.”
    “When’s the prom, anyway?”
    “Day after tomorrow. Saturday.”
    “And all three of you waited this long to find outfits?”
    “Yeah, well, I wasn’t going, and Brandon and Carli had the whole detention thing, plus apparently she was being really picky about finding the perfect dress.”
    “Guess I’ll just use what I wore to my school’s prom. And that should be indicative of what she’ll be like if he marries her.”
    I snorted a bit with laughter. “You’d think. Sorry for the short notice… but it’ll be sick now that you’re going.”

    Prom came quickly. The thought of it was a little less dreadful with Aysel by my side. She came over, we got ready in my room, playing albums and reminiscing on high school as a whole. We almost twinned, her purple dress heavily complimenting mine. Of course, Mom insisted on several pictures that she’ll probably forget about by next Tuesday. We went to dinner beforehand. Mom insisted we go somewhere nice, so we did– and in the dim, red velvet plastered booth, I was actually sort of happy I went. I looked cute, I was with my best friend, and I wasn’t thinking about Brandon for the time being. We got to eat steak and pasta and those chocolate lava cakes. We probably disturbed the other customers with how much and how loud we laughed. It was the best I had felt since Brandon had decided to go with Carli.
    Prom was being held at some banquet hall not too far from the school. It was moderately upscale, probably appropriate for a high school prom. Some radio hit R&B song with suggestive lyrics that the teachers obviously did not pick up on pumped through speakers inside. Even the rocks-for-brains jocks were dressed up.
    “It’s honestly kinda weird to see everyone looking so… nice,” I mused, trying to make sure Aysel could hear me over the booming music.
    “Yeah, usually they dress like wannabe gangbangers or like they rolled out of bed, so… I’ve gotta give them some credit,” Aysel said, her expression showing genuine awe.
    “Y’know, I’m really not gonna miss these people. At all.”
    “No ****. They’re idiots.”
    Then I spotted Brandon and Carli. They were getting their picture taken in front of one of those typical prom moon things. “Don’t look now…”
    And, despite my words, Aysel turned around to look over at them. “Ha! They look… fashionably challenged.”
    “You think we should go take pictures too? We’d outfashion them for sure.”
    Without a word, Aysel was up and heading for the line. I followed suit, but I was unable to tear my gaze from the couple. They held hands as they walked out of the photo area, giggling and sharing ******, sickly sweet smiles. Now, instead of wanting to die on the spot, I wanted them to die on the spot.
    “Hey, Val, stop pouting and come take a photo,” Aysel waved me over behind the camera. As we posed together, you could see the mixed reactions on the other peoples’ faces– confusion, shock, judgement, disgust, even amusement. It took me a second to realize that we were apparently the first non-couple to take a picture here, and they thought we were genuinely each others’ dates.
    “Ewww, lesbians! Disgusting freaks!” a voice called from the line.
    “Is that MARK JOHNSTON?!” Aysel yelled, and I realized **** was about to go down until a chaperone came over to reprimand him– so I seized the opportunity for us to sneak away and outside.
    The stone steps served as our seating, and only a few other attendees littered the courtyard– mostly kissing couples. Aysel and I watched and made fun of them– maybe it soothed our singleness.
    “Okay, maybe I’m a little glad I went,” I finally admitted. “But not that much. We’d still be having fun somewhere else. But also, I kinda am happy.”
    “I think we’ve made the most of it,” Aysel nodded.
    “Yo, Val! Aysel!” Brandon’s familiar voice called to us from behind.
    “Wow, he knows *********** a moment,” Aysel scoffed, low enough that only I could hear.
    We turned to face him, watching as he sat down by me and lit the tip of his cigarette. “Guess you didn’t play sick.”
    I shook my head. “Nope. I was a big girl and showed up,” I responded with a nice helping of sarcasm.
    Brandon chuckled. “That’s the Val we all love.”
    Even if it was innocuous to him, it stung inside. Love? Then why Carli and not me?
    His eyes made their way over to Aysel, who was absentmindedly checking out her nails. “And I see you brought Aysel. It’s like the group’s back together.”
    “I mean, not quite. There’s no Mark, and I doubt Aysel would ever allow that to happen again,” I smirk, elbowing her arm lightly to emphasise my teasing. She grumbled something about wanting to stab him, which made Brandon giggle.
    “Okay, true. No Mark. But close enough, right?” He took a long drag before offering the cigarette to us. I shook my head, but Aysel reached out and took it, bringing it to her burgundy lips.
    “So… where’s that Carli, Brandon?” Aysel raised an eyebrow, ever the instigator.
    “The bathroom. She went with some of her friends and you know how long that can take,” he grinned before taking the cigarette back from Aysel.
    “Hm. How’s she working for you as a date?” she pushed.
    “Actually…” Brandon trailed off. His tone was unclear, and his emotions sounded mixed. My heart might as well have stopped in its tracks. Is this it? Is this the moment where he decides Carli isn’t for him? Where he realizes it was me all along?
    “Actually…?” Aysel echoed, trying to get him to provide a real answer. I held my breath. I tried to look nonchalant, brushing some hair out of my face, but I could feel my hands shake. I was finally getting my fairytale ending…
    “…pretty good. She’s really sweet. I like her a lot. I’m glad I got to go with her. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’m happy she convinced me to come! She’s awesome,” he flashes a smile, and it’s the most genuine I’ve ever seen.
    My heart dropped into my stomach, then into my pelvic floor, then fell out of me entirely. I hoped my face didn’t show too much of my sheer, unadulterated disappointment. What about that happy ending?
    “That’s cool,” Aysel responded with a lack of amusement, and I could pick up that she was about as displeased as me.
    Naturally, he had no idea that we were not thrilled for him. “Thanks, guys. I think I really like her, y’know?”
    “Oh, yeah, I feel ya,” Aysel nods, her voice almost mocking.
    “I should probably go find Carli. I bet she’s out of the bathroom by now, and I don’t want her to miss the slow dance. Catch you two later,” he threw the cigarette into a nearby trashcan like the complete idiot he is, then scurried off like the rat he is back into the banquet hall.
    I normally would’ve cried, but I think by then I was out of tears. I was just… numb. Dull. Void.
    “What a ****,” Aysel huffed. “You good, Val?”
    I looked up from my spaced-out state. “Hm? Oh, yeah… I guess. As good as I can be, I think.”
    “Honestly, Val? I thought you were gonna crack and confess.”
    I shook my head a bunch. “Nope, that’s a secret I’m taking to the grave.”

    16 0

    GlacierPeak GlacierPeak
    Welcome to GlacierPeak. We're a one-stop shop for everything snowboarding. We love winter just like you, but especially those heavy snow storms. When we see them, we become extremely happy instantly!

    What we need

    We're looking for influencers for the launch of our new product line. We need you to post invitations to invite followers to visit our website via a 15 second video or a permanent story, to see our new product line. We'll send you $500.00, or 50,000 gift-points once the post is done. If you're interested, simply say you're Interested in a comment below this post.

    CONDITIONS

    Audience
    United-States, UK, Australia

    Language
    English

    Channels
    Lifestyle, Fashion, Beauty, Travel

    Minimum Followers
    1000

    Age Group
    18-65

    Genders
    Any

    Post Type
    15 Second Video or Story With Images

    Pay Per Post Amount in Money
    $500.00

    Pay Per Post in Points. 100 Points = $1.00
    50,000

    Commission Per Sale
    $0

    Item Shipped For Review
    None

    Must Create a New Creative From Scratch
    Yes

    Must Use The Images And Video Supplied
    No

    Must Follow Some Specific Guidelines
    No

    Must Avoid Saying or Showing Specific Things
    No

    Content Must Be Approved Before Posting
    No

    Delivery Delay in Days
    5 Business day

    Delivery Exact Date
    None

    Our Website URL
    GlacierPeak


    100 6

    Joshua Michael joshua
    Struggling to keep up with endless customer questions? You’re not alone. Businesses are realizing that AI-powered chatbots are no longer just “nice-to-have” tools they’re essential for delivering fast, 24/7 customer support.

    But here’s the real challenge: with so many chatbot platforms out there, how do you know which one fits your business?

    In this guide, I’ll walk you through the 5 best AI chatbot builders in 2025. These tools are not only user-friendly but also designed to help businesses of all sizes automate conversations, save time, and increase customer satisfaction.





    What Makes a Great AI Chatbot Builder?
    Before diving into the list, let’s set some standards. A solid chatbot builder should offer:

    Ease of use – No-code or low-code platforms are best for beginners.
    AI capabilities – Natural Language Processing (NLP) for smarter conversations.
    Integrations – Works seamlessly with CRMs, websites, or apps.
    Scalability – Can grow with your business.
    Analytics – Helps you measure performance and customer interactions.

    If a chatbot builder ticks most of these boxes, it’s worth considering.

    1. ManyChat – Best for Marketing Automation
    manyChat is a go-to chatbot builder if you’re running an online store or want to automate conversations on social media platforms like Facebook Messenger and Instagram.

    Key Features:

    Visual drag-and-drop builder
    Automated workflows for lead generation
    Supports SMS, WhatsApp, and email campaigns
    Integrates with Shopify and HubSpot

    Best For: E-commerce stores and social media marketers who want to convert followers into paying customers.

    2. Intercom – Best for Customer Support
    Intercom is one of the most popular customer communication platforms, and its AI chatbot functionality is top-notch. According to TechCrunch, Intercom has been a pioneer in scaling customer support with conversational AI.

    Key Features:

    AI-powered resolution bot
    Proactive customer engagement
    Powerful integrations with Slack, Salesforce, and Zapier
    Real-time analytics

    Best For: SaaS companies and customer support teams needing advanced automation.

    3. Tidio – Best for Small Businesses
    If you’re just getting started and want something simple yet effective, Tidio is a fantastic option. It combines live chat with AI automation in one platform.

    Key Features:

    Easy to install on WordPress, Shopify, and Wix
    AI bot trained to answer FAQs
    Mobile app for on-the-go support
    Affordable plans

    Best For: Small businesses that want a budget-friendly AI chatbot solution.

    4. Drift – Best for B2B Sales Conversations
    Drift positions itself as a conversational marketing platform, and for good reason. It focuses on creating real-time, personalized chat experiences that drive sales.

    Key Features:

    AI bots qualify leads automatically
    Custom playbooks for B2B sales
    Integration with major CRMs like Salesforce and Marketo
    Personalized chat based on visitor data

    Best For: B2B businesses that rely heavily on lead generation and relationship building.

    5. HubSpot Chatbot Builder – Best All-in-One CRM Integration
    HubSpot offers a free chatbot builder inside its all-in-one CRM. This makes it incredibly useful for businesses already using HubSpot for marketing and sales.

    Key Features:

    No-code chatbot builder
    Automated lead qualification
    Seamless integration with HubSpot CRM
    Free plan with premium upgrades

    Best For: Businesses already in the HubSpot ecosystem who want a cost-effective chatbot solution.

    Final Thoughts
    The right AI chatbot builder depends on your business goals:

    Use ManyChat if you’re focused on social media and e-commerce.
    Choose Intercom for powerful customer support automation.
    Try Tidio if you’re a small business on a budget.
    Go with Drift for B2B lead generation.
    Pick HubSpot for all-in-one CRM integration.

    At the end of the day, the “best” chatbot is the one that fits your audience, budget, and growth strategy. Start small, experiment, and optimize as you go.

    Have you tried any of these chatbot builders before? Share your experience I’d love to hear which one worked best for you!



    3 0

    Alesha Bradigan momoftwo24
    I sit here
    all alone
    Empty rooms
    Quietness
    Other than the whirring of a fan
    No screaming of a young child playing
    No cooing of a happy baby
    Whirr whirr whirr
    Which once was a house full of love and joy
    Now feels like a nightmare I cant escape
    Wishing
    Hoping
    Dreaming
    That one day ill have that back again
    The coos
    The screams
    The noises that irritate most parents are the ones I long for the most
    The endless cuddles
    The mommy mommy mommy
    I just want it all back
    I want a reason to get out of bed and do something
    The darkness with them gone keeps closing in and I feel like it will never end
    I feel like those coos
    Those screams
    Those giggles
    Those cuddles
    Those cries
    Will never come back
    I feel like the life im living now
    Visiting my own kids like theyre my niece and nephew will never end
    I've thought of burning cutting smoking drinking anything to concrete that pain and maybe just maybe take it all away
    but I know if I do the pain will never go away because it may be the thing that takes it away forever
    Those cries
    Those coos
    Those screams
    Those giggles
    Would never come back
    So I sit here listening to the whirr of the fan hoping that one of these days that whirr isn't the only thing to fill these rooms



    9 0

    Tabbie wismer tabb111e
    Even as an American, I love Eurovision. I just get so invested in it every year. I've become so interested in so many countries and cultures I wouldn't have really been exposed to otherwise-- all because their representative had a song that had me hooked.

    It's been about two months since the 2025 edition wrapped up, but I'm honestly still kinda feeling the sadness of its finality. So, I figured I'd discuss my top 20 of the year! While everybody was talking about how much they hated this year and the songs, I actually thought it was a very strong year: so much variety, with all kinds of different sounds and genres (which is something that has been hard to come by in previous years.)

    20. Ireland (Laika Party, Emmy) 💚🤍🧡
    Unpopular opinion, but... I like Ireland's song! It's reminiscent of the Europop music that helped define the late 90s/early 2000s. While some may call the song disrespectful or tasteless, I would disagree-- I find it sort of sweet that it gives poor Laika the space dog a happy ending.

    19. Greece (Asteromata, Klavdia) 💙🤍
    I'm not usually a ballad fan, but this song is too good to ignore. Klavdia had some of the best live vocals this year and sounded exactly like the recording. It's a beautiful song with a meaningful message and anyone who thinks it didn't deserve 6th place in the final is simply wrong!

    18. Spain (Esa diva, Melody) 💛❤️
    While most people would disagree, I'd say Spain is probably my favorite Big 5 country from the years I've been watching. Some criticize Esa diva for being dated, stale, and "pandering to middle-aged gay men"... guess I'm a middle-aged gay man then!

    17. Iceland (Róa, VÆB) 💙🤍❤️
    It's pure Eurovision silliness at its finest. The song is upbeat, funny, and catchy, and the VÆB brothers have very unique and charismatic energy (and big iPad kid vibes, honestly.) When Róa comes on, I always just kinda want to... laugh. But in a good way!

    15. Estonia (Espresso Macchiato, Tommy Cash) 💙🖤🤍
    Similarly to Iceland's entry, Estonia has sent the kind of song that makes Eurovision, well, Eurovision. Fun, goofy, and only elevated by the iconic staging. Though, I do feel bad for the hate poor Tommy Cash receives online-- he seems like a sweetheart.

    15. Cyprus (Shh, Theo Evan) 🧡🤍
    I'm usually not a big fan of Cyprus' entries, but this is certainly an exception. I really like the techno/industrial elements used in the song, which sets it apart from other dance entries by giving it a darker sound. The staging was among my favorites of the year. (Also love the way he sings, "Who am I?)

    14. Germany (Baller, Abor & Tynna) 🖤❤️💛
    Despite Abor's... strange political and social stances, Germany really knocked it out of the park with this entry. The song and staging both have immaculate clubbing vibes-- we're having a Baller summer this year! I honestly thought it would've scored higher than 15th.

    13. Poland (GAJA, Justyna Steczkowska) 🤍❤️
    Justyna is a true talent-- in a 3-minute performance, she sings, dances, plays violin, and is hoisted mid-air... all at the age of 52! The song itself is very dark and witchy, which... how could I not love that?! Probably deserved higher than 14th.

    12. UK (What the **** Just Happened?, Remember Monday) 💙🤍❤️
    I think the only reason people hate this song so much is because it's a UK entry. The girls of Remember Monday have a cute vibe, their harmonies were on point, and it's truly chaotic, girly fun. The frequent tempo and style changes fit the crazy theme of the entry!

    11. Malta (Serving Kant, Miriana Conte) 🤍❤️
    I'm obsessed with Miriana's entire image. I see a lot of people criticize this song, but I simply think it's too campy for them (and camp isn't for everyone, I guess...) Even with the censorship of the lyrics, the effect is still there, and Miriana really DID serve kant.

    10. Belgium (Strobe Lights, Red Sebastian) 🖤💛❤️
    When I say I want to go dancing, this is the kind of music I want to hear. I can't believe people were saying Red Sebastian's vocals in the semi-final were off, because I thought he was great-- I mean, that iconic high note! Still haven't recovered from its non-qualification...

    9. Australia (Milkshake Man, Go-Jo) 💙🤍❤️
    Now THIS is a robbery if I've ever seen one. I find the claims that the staging was underwhelming rather laughable-- anything that involves a GIANT BLENDER cannot possibly be "underwhelming." The song is upbeat, stuffed with ****** innuendo, Go-Jo is fabulous, and all is right here.

    8. Finland (Ich Komme, Erika Vikman) 🤍💙
    I'm a big fan of whatever Finland is doing-- weird, alternative, and and completely unconventional year after year. I'm kind of shocked the only thing that was censored here was Erika's outfit, considering the song is quite explicit (but that's exactly what makes it so awesome!)

    7. Albania (Zjerm, Shkodra Elektronike) ❤️🖤
    We love a good electro-folk song around here. The lyrics are powerful, and the instrumental is heavy and intense... it's hard to not be affected by Zjerm. I couldn't think of a better closing song for Eurovision 2025, and it was criminally underrated by the juries.

    6. Switzerland (Voyage, Zoë Më) ❤️🤍
    This may just take the cake for my all-time favorite Eurovision ballad. This is yearning at its finest... and French at its finest. I'd have to side with the juries for once on this one, this is an extremely underrated and beautiful song... and it never fails to make me emotional.

    5. Portugal (Deslocado, NAPA) 💚❤️💛
    Everyone jumped on the bandwagon after it blew up on TikTok, but I'd been in love with Deslocado since day one. Everybody called it boring and dull, but I obviously disagree... guess you could chalk it up to my love of rock and indie music. Sickening to think it was last in the betting odds for so long!

    4. Ukraine (Bird of Pray, Ziferblat) 💙💛
    I'm sick of the hate for this song! But to be fair, it's not a particularly accessible genre-- I guess 70s-inspired prog rock is a pretty foreign genre to a lot of people. But to say Bird of Pray would be Ukraine's first NQ is hysterical! The song is too good to have ever been that.

    3. Latvia (Bur man laimi, Tautumeitas) ❤️🤍
    It's witchy, it's enchanting, it's literally a song about manifestation. The harmonies are intoxicating, and I'm addicted to playing it on loop. Anyone who calls this beautiful song boring is not someone I'd want to know-- they just don't get it.

    2. Italy (Volevo essere un duro, Lucio Corsi) 💚🤍❤️
    My love for this song is immeasurable. Lucio is essentially Italian David Bowie-- everything from the song to his outfits. I don't think I could ever tire of this entry! I'm a proud Italian-American whenever this one comes on... and I will ALWAYS defend this song from the 12-year-olds on TikTok.

    1. Lithuania (Tavo akys, Katarsis) 💛💚❤️
    A rock fan's *********. Real, genuine, post-punk/grunge at Eurovision... I foam at the mouth for this song and Katarsis. No notes. Perfection.

    And that's my top 20 of Eurovision 2025! Thinking I'll make lists for past years as well, so stay tuned if you're invested...

    32 0

    Millie Zemlak Millie_Zemlak
    (NewsUSA) - It's no surprise that parents today seek books that will delight, engage, and educate their children. However, some parents are seeing gaps in the available options of topics they want to share with their children. To combat this, there is a growing trend of parents who have taken matters into their own hands and turned to self-publishing to fill these holes themselves.

    Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) from Amazon is one self-publishing option that offers editorial freedom and ease of use for busy parents looking to create something that meets their kids' needs.

    KDP success stories include Handeep Dhoot (who writes as "Dr. Dhoot"), a mom with a Ph.D. in chemistry who wanted to introduce her young daughter to STEM topics.

    Dr. Dhoot has self-published the growing Tinker Toddler series of STEM books aimed at young children, including Machine Learning for Babies & Toddlers.

    "Becoming a parent helped me realize the urgency for introducing scientific topics, like STEM, to kids while their brains are still developing. KDP allowed me to self-publish books that portray these ideas in an accurate and digestible way for kids, including my own daughter."

    Gabi Garcia, a long-time school counselor and mom, turned to self-publishing when she saw a lack of books for Spanish-speaking and bilingual children about how to understand their emotions and feelings.

    "It's so important to engage with children early to discuss mindfulness. Self-publishing on KDP empowered me to take all that I'd learned and seen as a school counselor and make it accessible to more children, in both English and Spanish."

    She has published several books on these topics through KDP, including Listening to My Body, published in both English and Spanish. She now writes full-time on mindfulness and social awareness topics for children, parents, and educators.

    Brendan Kelso struggled with dyslexia as a child, but found learning and performing dramatic monologues helpful. He enjoyed Shakespeare, but, like many young readers, found the text hard to understand.

    After a career in engineering, he became a stay-at-home dad and came up with an idea to write versions of Shakespeare's plays that were more accessible to kids. His loveof theater and writing led him to self-publish several works through KDP, starting with Shakespeare's Hamlet for Kids.

    "I have the freedom to spend more time with my family, while pursuing my passion on my own terms with KDP."

    These parents have been able to create the books they couldn't find for kids and found financial success - and sometimes a whole new career - in the process.

    For those parents who are toying with self-publishing, but still have questions, consider this:

    * KDP lets authors set their own prices and retain all rights to their work.

    * As an author, you can publish your book in minutes, and these books are available to a worldwide audience through Kindle online stores in 24-48 hours.

    * You can publish Kindle eBooks and paperbacks in multiple languages.

    Visit kdp.amazon.com for more information about Kindle Direct Publishing.

    Ref: Encouraging - in Blogs
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