My name is Caitlin Elizabeth Thomas, and I Choose To Live. Like everyone, I have had my fair share of heartache. I have seen tough times and felt pain. There were even days when I wondered why life was worth living. I can remember being 16 years old, looking in the mirror and absolutely hating the person who was looking back at me. I hated my body, I hated the way my hair fell, I hated my crooked smile, and I hated that I couldn't find anything good about myself. I struggled with eating regularly and always wished I could just be someone else. I wasn't happy, and I always thought there was nothing I could do about it. But, I have since learned that I was wrong.

I ended up going to church one day, and I can't completely remember what it was, but something awoke inside of me. I heard the congregation sing "I know that my Redeemer lives" and my heart was instantly filled with so much love and compassion I thought that I would burst. I began to cry as instantly God's love for me filled up my whole being. I didn't feel alone, I didn't feel unloved, and I felt absolutely beautiful in that small moment.