Oh, sweet Renee. This is wonderful.

1 | Left by Kaitlyn | Feb. 24, 2009 at 5:32am

that is so awesome Renee!!!!! congrats! and on my birthday too! lol that's soo cool.. you're my idol!

2 | Left by Hayley | Feb. 24, 2009 at 5:38am

You are a wonderful person Renee!! You are so strong and are my personal hero! You are so beautiful inside and out. No matter how many scars or tattoos you have you could never change that!
Happy 3 Years!!!!!!

3 | Left by Brittany | Feb. 24, 2009 at 6:28am

WOW! Renee, that is sooo awesome! <3
It may only be 5 weeks for me so far,but you are BY FAR my greatest inspiration!!! =]

4 | Left by Katie | Feb. 24, 2009 at 6:54am

Congratulations, Renee!
I used to remember to look up at the stars every night, then I got out of the habit some how. Thanks for the reminder!
Your star is shining brightly. And it is great to see.

5 | Left by MarjakaThriver | Feb. 24, 2009 at 8:23am

go renee!!! im so proud! your my idol and have helped me so much! loveyou!

♥Tara♥

6 | Left by Tara | Feb. 24, 2009 at 8:31am

congratulations, Renee!!! =]


tomorrow will be 5 months for me

7 | Left by Rachel | Feb. 24, 2009 at 8:33am

Well today is a great day :)
not only is it Renee's 3rd year of sobriety but a week ago I started eating right :)

8 | Left by raven :) | Feb. 24, 2009 at 8:41am

congrats :)
and to who wrote above, congratulations to you as well.

9 | Left by pia:D | Feb. 24, 2009 at 9:31am

Such wise words... thank you for committing yourself to love, Renee, and being a light not just for those who struggle with addiction, but to your neighbors, to strangers, just by being willing to love.

Congratulations.

to those who have commented about your own journey, bright blessings to you as you continue to find your way from shadow to light.

10 | Left by Regina | Feb. 24, 2009 at 10:49am

Renee, congratulations on 3 years!! Thank you for sharing your story and touching so many lives through it. You have given me such hope through my own pain and i could never thank you enough for that. youre my hero!
much love to you

11 | Left by Michelle | Feb. 24, 2009 at 12:38pm

It's incredible, to know you've done this well.
You know a lot, you give a lot.
I hope you know we're not holding you on a pedestal, but we are holding you in our hearts.
You give me hope.<3

12 | Left by Angel | Feb. 24, 2009 at 2:15pm

Renee. You are my hero, you are far from a small part. You play a HUGE part in my day to day life, your my inspiration, and jamie, and the team, and everyone on this website.
Absolutely congratulations, i said that at least 5 times today. I'm going to say it 5 time's more. I love you.

13 | Left by taryn | Feb. 24, 2009 at 3:52pm

Renee, I couldn't be prouder of you! You're someone I look up to for that. We're on a road to light. Thanks for your inspiration.

14 | Left by Lacey | Feb. 24, 2009 at 3:54pm

Hey Renee,

Today is a good day. =) Along with your landmark, your checkpoint, today is my grandparents 58th anniversary. My grandfather passed away August 7th, but he's still alive, really.

Congrats once more. =)

15 | Left by Katy | Feb. 24, 2009 at 4:06pm

I just wanted to let you know I'm writing about you for my English " My Hero" essay..
You're amazing:)
keep on truuuckin gurrl

16 | Left by Alanna | Feb. 24, 2009 at 5:46pm

okay. seriously. you are an insiration to all of us, young and old. thank you so much for brightning up my dull day with your amazing story! you have a very bright light shining here! :) i wish you the best! congrats on your sucses! you are so gorgeous and amzing! and i just want you to know that you r loved. no matter what you have done in your past, you will always be loved.

17 | Left by Madison | Feb. 24, 2009 at 5:58pm

renee, congratulations!! you are such an inspiration to everyone whom your story touches.. every night i look at the stars and hope each day will be better than the last. thank you for all of your inspiring actions and words. <3

18 | Left by Jen | Feb. 24, 2009 at 7:30pm

Im so happy for Renee. She is an inspiration to all. I love my friends and hoped they didnt do the things they have. Im glad with the help of TWLOHA i can convince them that hurting themselves is not the answer.

19 | Left by Sara | Feb. 24, 2009 at 7:49pm

Your right.
You do have to want it.
Good encouragement.
Thank you for your raw honesty Renee.
Congratulations to you! and to everyone else on your own accomplishments! All of your stories matter. None more than the other.
-Ciara
Ps. YEY! Explosions In The Sky!!( referring to background music)

20 | Left by Ciara | Feb. 25, 2009 at 12:25am

I'm a high school teacher and see kids in pain all the time. I have a graphic of "To Write Love on Her Arms" as my desktop picture and welcome kids questions about what it means. What you've been through is a story repeated all the time. To see and hear your story, to know you've not only survived but are doing so much better, is a light to all the lost souls. Thank you for sharing your journey.

21 | Left by Debby | Feb. 25, 2009 at 4:51am

I'm so happy for Renee. She is an inspiration to me and a person whom I admire greatly =]

It's been one week and 2 days since the last time I've cut and I've commited to writing the word love large on my forearm anytime I feel the need to.

I can honestly say she is my hero.

22 | Left by Shelby | Feb. 25, 2009 at 10:16am

Renee Yohe you are such an inspiration. Happy three years!

23 | Left by Morgan | Feb. 25, 2009 at 2:48pm

Renee, I have not words for the hope you bring me.
Just know, you and your story have given me a chance at a better chapter in my own story.
Thank you.
God bless.

24 | Left by Hannah | Feb. 25, 2009 at 7:27pm

Thank you so much Renee, you are a huge inspiration to me. If you can make it to three years, I can make it one more day. Thank you so much.

25 | Left by Sophia | Feb. 25, 2009 at 7:45pm

Praise God! All i can say is that i am so proud of you Renee. Congratulations! Three years is such an accomplishment. Struggling with my own issues on a daily basis is such a tough thing but knowing that there is hope out there, that there are people willing to love and just be there, is amazing. You are an incredible inspiration and i admire you greatly. I can see the love of Jesus Christ is alive and working in you and your friends. You have helped change and save so many more lives by telling your story and encouraging others to be that person who cares. Thank you for your courage and for your faith. Thank You.

May God continue to bless you, your friends and the whole TWLOHA organization. It is truly what the world needs. Keep up the work of Christ :)

Chelsea Kampa

26 | Left by chelsea | Feb. 25, 2009 at 8:23pm

Renee and everyone at TWLOHA are such an inspiration and motivation. Everyone behind TWLOHA have open there hearts and arms for all of us that are struggling day by day. Thank you Renee..for opening your heart to us. Congrats on 3 yrs! <3

27 | Left by Kim | Feb. 25, 2009 at 9:05pm

HeyHey, im obsessed with the band Between the tress, and i think that Renee Yohe is an amazing person. xx
I <3 TWLOHA
from Harlie, xx

28 | Left by Harlie | Feb. 26, 2009 at 4:14am

congrats renee! that's really amazing that you've gone 3 whole years! a lot of my friends who try and stop because they realize it's not just hurting them but the people around them, seem to always relapse and it's hard to watch them take one step forward and two steps back.

you and everyone at twloha are amazing at what you do for people in their darkest hour.

<3

29 | Left by alysin | Feb. 26, 2009 at 6:54am

Wow, you're amazing Renee, Congrats! I realize tons of people go through these things and get recovery, but there's something very special about you. I'm still going through it, but im nowhere near as sick as i was, and your story reminds me that it gets tough but i can keep going. Stay Strong!

30 | Left by Brittany | Feb. 26, 2009 at 11:26am

Renee your story really helps me because everything you have said is what I am going through. I just told my pastor what I have been doing last night and I realized that I am going to have to want help because it's not going to come to me. I haven't cut in 3 months but confessing to my pastor relieved the guilt and now I am basically doing what you are doing. Just counting off how many days I have gone without drinking or cutting. You are an inspiration to me and 3 years from now I want to tell my friends that it has been 3 years since I have harmed myself intentionally. Thank you and congratulations. =) ~Meg

31 | Left by Meg | Feb. 26, 2009 at 6:03pm

Renee.Congrats!three years! Wow... Let me begin by saying you are a beautiful person inside and out.Your story has been the biggest brightest light through my time of darkness. I first came across twloha one night when i was home alone and ready to give up on life. I had made up my mind that I was going to kill myself. I had been cutting for two years and nobody knew. my world kept falling apart piece by piece and i was just so done.when i read your story, it spoke to my heart. I truly do believe that God gave me my pain with a purpose. You introduced me to the faith in God that I had lost. About a week ago, i celebrated 3 months of not cutting. It has been a difficult but rewarding road for me.. without To Write Love On Her Arms, i truly believe that I would be dead right now. I've decided that I want to go into a career in counciling or something along those lines, so that I can be to someone else what you were to me.Thank you renee for being bold and strong enough to share this story that is never talked about enough. Thank you thank you thank you. And thank you to Jamie and everyone behind this organization who helped me win my fight.♥

32 | Left by Deliah | Feb. 27, 2009 at 12:58pm

It's so nice to see you smiling Renee.

33 | Left by ashley | Feb. 28, 2009 at 6:09am

Renee Congrats on being clean for three years. you are the best person i look up to you for haveing the stregth that you do.

34 | Left by Rochelle | Mar. 1, 2009 at 1:59pm

congrats, renee! i am so very pround and inspired by you.
and it happened on my birthday.

35 | Left by Sara | Mar. 2, 2009 at 10:38am

renee, you are my idol!
i started cutting about a year ago and then one night i was ready to just give up and i came across your story.
i think God sent you to help me through the worst time of my life.
i am now celebrating 2 months without cutting.
thank you. you are my inspiration.

36 | Left by Katie | Mar. 2, 2009 at 4:11pm

Renee, you are my idol, I started cutting when I was 12 and when I read your story it inspired me so much. It's been almost a year now since I last cut. You are my idol and inspiration to keep living. Congrats on the 3 years and ily!!<333

37 | Left by KT | Mar. 2, 2009 at 4:58pm

Renee, you are are an inspiration to all who hear your story congratulations! one day I'll be celebrating my thee year mark because my friends like yours wrote love on my arms and hearing your story helped me not to go back now I am out of the cult I was in and depression and drug free.

Thank you so much

38 | Left by Kristal | Mar. 2, 2009 at 7:03pm

so...i had never heard of this until one day my friend john came up to me, took my arm, and wrote love on my arm. i looked up at him and asked him why he did that. he said that first off, i looked like i needed it. second, he told me of this organization. i thought he was making it up, so i looked it up later that day. i couldnt believe the story that inspired it, or how it touched so many lives.
i went and found my friend john. i looked at him and asked him how he knew i needed a friend at that moment, someone to say that they did cared. he told me that i had looked tired and depressed. the truth is that i have depression...and ive thought about suicide. the day that my friend wrote love on my arm and told me that he cared, and that others cared, kept me from going home that night and killing myself, something i had been planing on doing. john didnt know that, and he still doesnt. but i believe on some level, he knew what i had been feeling and thinking. i thank god for him because he is probably one of my dearest friends.
this story was an inspiration to me since it had inspired my friend and kept me from doing something incredibly stupid. majority of our school writes love on their arms on february 13, and its amazing to see that on the arms of kids who rarley talk to others or who rarely participate in things. its proves that people do care, on some level.

39 | Left by Kathryn | Mar. 3, 2009 at 11:52am

Dear Renee,
I have never heard a story so insperational as yours. You have proved to the world and teens alone that anything is possible if you just beleive in yourself. I have a friend who went through some hard times, and she cut herself. I told her of your story, and she stopped. You are an insperation to all and adorded by all. Thank you. Keep going strong.

40 | Left by Emily Jewell | Mar. 4, 2009 at 9:46am

This is great, I'm really glad you could make it this long. I'm so happy for you. I really hope that other people like you can make it through this too. I think with a little help from everyone that loves and cares for them anyone can do it. You are a big insperation to many people, I hope you come a lot farther in what you've done. I've gotten great adive from everyone in TWLOHA and I'm so happy thats theres someone out there like all of you to help. When I heard your story I was just amazed how someone could go through all of that and still be here today. I'm glad you pulled through for everyone, people you love and care about and the people that you inspire today. You are really great. Keep it up =)

41 | Left by Cindy | Mar. 5, 2009 at 12:15pm

Renee,
I just wanted to say: you are so beautiful. your story has encouraged me to reach out to others in need, and I've never heard of anyone more courageous than you. God has a special hand on you, and it shows through your life. I'm going to end with this: your soul, and your commitment to Christ along with your victory makes you so very beautiful. God Bless you, my sister. :]

Sara

42 | Left by Sara Leonbruno | Mar. 5, 2009 at 5:41pm

U are an amazine person...sometimes i wish i was as strong as you...i still cant stop...

43 | Left by James (Donte) | Mar. 6, 2009 at 10:24am

Congratulations on staying strong. It is a very hard thing to do. I am 354 days sober. God help those still struggling.

44 | Left by James | Mar. 6, 2009 at 11:56am

Renee.
You are my biggest inspiration. I will always remember your story, remember the pain in your eyes, and remember your love.
You have loved us all by letting your story be heard.
My fake-sister (she's my best friend, we're aren't related) was officially diagnosed with depression. But before that the only one she told was me. I pushed her to tell her parents because I was afraid for her life. In one of her darkest hours I told her your your story of hope and light. She is now recovering and no longer cuts herself.
Also, my father has been drink and smoking pot since he was my age (eighth grade) and about a month or so ago we had an intervention. We all had to write letters to read to him, and before reading mine I read through your story and all the blogs on this website.
After that the words flowed. I used a few quotes for TWLOHA, Jamie's words.
It brought my stepdad to tears when I let him read it first.
My dad is still refusing to go to rehab, but I pray everyday with God's help he will go. This story, movement, organization, whathaveyou, keeps me going.
Thank you all so much. Renee, Jamie, everyone.
Much love to you all.
Always,
Emma.

45 | Left by Emma Hayes | Mar. 6, 2009 at 5:07pm

Oh, Renee, you are my hero! Starting in seventh grade I began cutting. I have been hospitalized twice for suicidal though, depression, cutting, and self-aggression. I'm bipolar and a foster child. My dad died when I was ten off an overdose on cocaine. My mom has brain cancer. You story means so much to me. I have stopped cutting. I have also struggled with anorexia and bulimia. I haven't purged in about a month! Anyway, Renee, you are a huge insperation and remember you are loved!
I'd love to talk to you sometime, though, for some reason, I don't think you'll every read this, it's just for random public view. Anyhow, if you ever get the chance, Renee, email me.
Love,
Amber Rose N.

46 | Left by Amber Rose | Mar. 7, 2009 at 6:06pm

Good job, Renee! You truly are such an inspiration to so many people. It is evident that you have learned a lot these past few years, and I only hope that you learn and grow even more in the years to come. I wish you the best of luck.

<3 Ashlye

P.S. Come to Ventura, CA!!!

47 | Left by Ashlye | Mar. 8, 2009 at 10:21am

Renee,
Though I've never had an addiction, your story has touched me. It's almost crazy because I write in journals every night and what's mostly written is my life at home which could be in relation to your addiction. My life at home sometimes feels like a huge weight on my shoulders just because I don't fit in. Because, I find the good in the world. I write poems, journals, quotes and I'm working on a book and I'm only sixteen. No, I'm not bragging that I'm this way, I'm just saying that in our lives the things we go through really does show ourselves what we will be like in the future. I long to be accepted one day and though I'm not right now, I keep pushing through any obstacle and not letting a single one stand in my way.
Like you said, we're human. I'm human and one day I'll find my place in this world.
I love your story and one day, I hope I'll be able to share mine.

-Brie

48 | Left by Brie | Mar. 8, 2009 at 4:32pm

Renee your my hero and so is the whole TWLOHAs organization. Ive come a long way with battling my addiction to DXM and you guys have helped me through by encouraging me and many others to stay strong and true to yourself.

THANKS,
Kaleigh

49 | Left by Kaleigh | Mar. 9, 2009 at 2:32pm

Congratulations Renee. You are such an inspiration to so many people. I hope you continue to learn and keep on your sobriety. Happy 3 years!!

50 | Left by Emily | Mar. 9, 2009 at 3:19pm

Love. It's amazing what it can drive people to do. Since I discovered To Write Love On Her Arms a few years ago, I've been reminded continually that I am loved, by God, and by other people. And I'm also called to show this kind of love every moment of every day.

It's brilliant.

You're amazing Renee. Thanks for giving us hope that we can make it 3 years too. I know I can :) Congrats!

51 | Left by Laura | Mar. 10, 2009 at 7:56pm

Hey Renee, I just want to tell you how amazing you are! I find you to be a beautiful person, inside and out. I came across this movement/organization by chance (or maybe God destined it to cross my path). My boyfriend and I were bowling and a guy next to our lane had one of these TWLOHA shirts. My boyfriend told me about it and said he wanted a tshirt. I looked it up and found so much more. It impacted me so much. My dad has just recently been to rehab, he's an alcoholic (he's been sober for about 2 1/2 months). The family is trying to help him to get through this. I've suffered from depression and anxiety attacks for a long time (mostly because of the alcohol abuse that i was surrounded by) I was also suicidal and long ago I was hooked on sleeping pills. Your story inspires me to get better. There is hope. I have a very loving and supporting boyfriend and family that helps. But it's always good to hear that one isn't alone. You're not alone Renee. Hope you're well. xoxoxo!
Love - Josie

52 | Left by Josie | Mar. 18, 2009 at 11:26am

thank you for giving me hope.
congrats on your progress
your my hero

53 | Left by brittany | Mar. 20, 2009 at 10:26am

You made my day, I was just looking to get some of TWLOHA's merch but decided to look over the blog and your video was amazing, you are an amazing person.
One day I want to meet someone like you, I haven't been able to yet, but I will.
Keep it up, keep it real and always know that you have touched at least one persons heart.
Btw, i love your tat & monroe haha:)

54 | Left by Aly | Mar. 28, 2009 at 4:18pm

Very inspiring...I'm a teacher in Las Vegas who struggles with depression daily, sometimes to the point of not wanting to get out of bed, despite having a job and kids to raise. Just like what Renee had said, it's the fear of not being perfect and having to learn how to accept grace. I'm tired of disappointing the people in my life...

55 | Left by Anon | Mar. 29, 2009 at 9:24pm

Amazing story. I have struggled with cutting off and on for a few years in secret... your story has helped me to realize that there is help out there and I don't need to be dealing with things all by myself all the time.
Congrats on your 3 years!
Thank you for sharing your pain and truth.

56 | Left by Brittany | Mar. 30, 2009 at 4:14pm

OMG!!! congrats and i am truly surprised and i cant believe it....<3

57 | Left by Leah | Apr. 22, 2009 at 7:23pm

lol i love the part when she laughs and says "leaves fall" when the leaf falls! my favorite part! congrats renee! i love you!

58 | Left by Anon | May. 28, 2009 at 3:42pm

i struggle with ocd and depression and am seeing a therapist, and in her office there is a quote on her wall, and it says "because you believed in me, I believed in me".
that's my new favorite quote.

59 | Left by Anon | Jun. 12, 2009 at 10:06am