Hi, I’m Divina — and this is my story.

Life hasn’t always been easy for me. Years ago, I found myself in an abusive relationship — one that dimmed my light, shook my confidence, and left me questioning my own worth. I was a mother of four, doing everything I could to hold it all together for my kids while quietly falling apart on the inside.

When I finally found my way out, I thought the hard part was over. But healing, I learned, is its own journey. Anxiety and depression followed me out of that season of my life, whispering that I wasn’t enough, that the darkness would always find me.

On the hardest days — the ones where being a single mom of four felt overwhelming, where the weight of everything was too much — I found myself reaching for small comforts. A warm cup of tea. Soft music. The gentle flicker of a candle flame.

That little flame became something bigger for me.

There was something about the soft glow, the quiet warmth, the way a candle asked nothing of me but to simply *be present* — that began to feel like a lifeline. It reminded me that even on the hardest days, there was still light. Still warmth. Still hope.

I started pouring candles as a way to heal myself. I had no idea it would turn into a calling.

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From “Depress Me Not” to Hugs of Light

When I first started this business, I called it **Depress Me Not Candles.** The name came straight from my heart — it was my way of saying *“don’t be depressed,”* a quiet message of encouragement to myself and anyone else who needed it.

But as I grew, as I healed, and as I watched my four kids cheer me on, I realized something. Telling someone “don’t be depressed” speaks to the pain. And I didn’t just want to acknowledge the pain anymore — I wanted to do something about it.

I wanted to create something that didn’t just say *“don’t feel bad”* but instead reached out its arms and said *“you are loved, you are held, and there is warmth here for you.”*

That’s when **Hugs of Light** was born.

Because a hug doesn’t tell you to stop hurting. A hug just holds you right where you are. And light doesn’t ask you to pretend the darkness isn’t real — it simply shows up and reminds you that darkness never gets the last word.

That shift in name was also a shift in who I was becoming — a woman no longer just surviving, but learning to truly live and give light to others.

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From Surviving to Thriving

As I began to heal, I thought about every woman out there carrying something heavy — the mom holding it together for her kids, the person quietly battling anxiety and depression, the soul recovering from a relationship that broke them down. I thought about how sometimes all we need is something small that says *“you are seen, you are loved, and you are not alone.”*

I wanted to create that feeling.

So I pour every candle, craft every keepsake, and personalize every piece with that intention — to wrap someone in warmth exactly when they need it most. My four kids have watched me build this from the ground up, and every order I pack is a reminder of how far we’ve all come.

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 What We Believe

💛 **Healing is personal.** That’s why every product can be personalized — because your journey, your grief, your love story is uniquely yours.

💛 **Small things carry big meaning.** A candle on a windowsill. A magnet on a fridge. A diffuser in the car. These little objects become anchors of memory and hope.

💛 **You deserve to feel held.** Whether you’re buying for yourself or for someone you love, every Hugs of Light product is made to feel like a warm embrace.

💛 **Light always wins.** No matter how dark things get — and believe me, I know dark — the light always finds a way through. That’s what this brand is built on.

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 Thank You for Being Here

If you found your way to this little shop, I believe it wasn’t by accident. Maybe you’re going through something hard. Maybe you love someone who is. Maybe you’re just starting to heal, or maybe you’re helping someone else begin that journey.

Either way — welcome. You are so loved.

This shop is poured with everything I have: my story, my heart, and my deep belief that no matter what you’ve been through, you are worthy of light.

With all my love,
**Divina**
*Founder, Hugs of Light