So the Almighty T is not one to hand praise out like candy. When she tells you that you're doing well, or that she's proud of you, it's rare, and thus treasured - because she doesn't say it often; so when she does say it, she means it - and it feels damn good to get that validation.
So as I was telling my group girls this, and that recovery is HARD but so worth it, and I told them to keep fighting, keep working on getting better, because I can tell you that the grass is greener on the other side - it's practically golden. :) And life isn't always perfect and easy, but I can certainly tell you that it's easier to deal with life and the curve balls thrown at you when you are nourished and taking care of yourself - everything is just more manageable and doable.
I mean, now that I'm here, sittin' in recovery, I wonder why I didn't freaking do this sooner - why didn't I choose this all along? Because YES recovery is harder than staying sick - getting better and gaining weight and working through your struggles in therapy is so much braver than choosing the eating disorder, but you guys -- YOU GUYS -- I PROMISE you that getting better is so much happier, it's so much easier, and life, who knew, is beautiful and fun and mysterious and exciting. And I love it.
And as I talked in group about all this, the Almighty T couldn't hide her smile, and she said, "Brie. Brie, I am so freaking proud of you. You have no idea how far you've come."
And I looked her right in the eye, and I didn't shrug off the compliment, nope, I didn't. I took that compliment and I told her THANK YOU and I smiled wide and felt really, really good. :)