Shelah Marie Taught Us An Important Lesson On Acknowledging Your Husband
Since they began dating, Ace Hood and Shelah Marie have been what the young folks refer to as "couple goals". She's a healing poweress that speaks life into the universe, and he is an independent rapper/yogi who has strayed from a previous image, and currently walks the line of wellness. Their coupledom isn't necessarily a goal in the sense of something that we all wish to be, but more so the fact that they openly put in the work to bettering themselves as a team. They love each other loudly, and they are more than happy to share their experiences and what has worked for them along the way.
This past Christmas was no different, as the couple shared a very personal moment to social media. In a photo uploaded to Instagram, she said:
"When @acehood was last on a major recording label they were excellent about celebrating wins. Ace has so many plaques in the house from that era. Since Ace went independent, he hasn't received any plaques for his projects. Ace is too damn talented not to have his flowers while he can smell them. I got plaques made for his first two releases (Trust The Process 1 & 2) since going independent because in this house we don't wait on the validation we want — we give it ourselves. I love you @acehood."
The plaques show off the millions of streams that each of his projects have accumulated since going independent, to which Hood was moved to tears.
Ace Hood responded to the act of love with a caption of his own:
"Validate yourself, celebrate yourself. I'm Grateful to have a wife who see's me for all that I am. This means the world to me, and furthermore lets me know that I am worthy and capable of all things great. To me this is Freedom, this is legacy. Still Overwhelmed with so many emotions, I love you to life. @theshelahmarie"
After spending almost a decade under DJ Khaled's We The Best Music and Universal Music Group, Ace Hood left the labels behind in 2016 to release music independently. He has since embarked on a journey of self-discovery that led the former athlete to renew his passion for health and fitness, as well as tie the knot with Shelah. Now, at 32, the Hustle Hard rapper has released twenty-one mixtapes and four albums garnering well over 100M streams, his latest being Mr. Hood.
"When I started embarking on my independent career, I said, 'You know what? I need to understand who I am as a person and bring the best version of myself out.' I went on a journey of just trusting the process of understanding who I am, my surroundings, my environment, and doing a lot of deep work behind the scenes."
And Shelah has always been about her husband as she reps and supports his brand, and her own, through various business ventures.
Once our favorite couple, always our favorite couple.
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Featured image via Shelah Marie/Instagram
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Charmin Michelle is a southern native and creative spirit who works as a content marketer and events manager in Chicago. She enjoys traveling, #SummertimeChi, and the journey of mastering womanhood. Connect with her on Instagram @charminmichelle.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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How A Stay At Switzerland's Luxurious 7132 Hotel Reminded Me To Live The Life I Deserve
Sometimes, as women—especially as single Black women—we simply need to be reminded that we are deserving of living a life we dream of. Even if that means creating it for ourselves. I recently set out on a weeklong trip to Switzerland, a trip I’ve been wanting to take for years, and near the end of my visit, I had an epiphany.
“DeAnna, this is the life you deserve,” I thought to myself as I took in the gorgeous bathroom in my suite at the famous 7132 Hotel and Thermal Spa. It was one of the most luxurious hotels (and bathrooms) I had ever stayed in—and that’s saying a lot for someone who often travels for work.
To help you better understand why this was such a mental awakening for me, I first need to give a bit of my backstory. I’m in my late thirties. I’m an attorneyand a journalist. I own a home and have traveled the world extensively. Essentially, I’ve done everything in life I set out to do. However, when it comes to dating, I struggle. Not because there is anything wrong with me per se, but because my career and “lifestyle” often create problems in my romantic relationships.
View from my hotel room
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I’ve been told everything from, ‘I can’t continue to date you because you seem to choose your career over wanting to settle down and have kids’ by a man after only the second date to ‘Maybe if you just sat down somewhere for a while, I’d actually wife you’ by someone who has honestly never proven themselves to be the settle down type. And these are only a handful of the things I’ve been told over the years.
It’s been frustrating, to say the least, and there have even been seasons where I purposely dimmed my light in hopes that my career wouldn’t push away potential suitors. I know what you’re thinking, “Girl, why would you even consider that? If they’re for you, it won’t matter what you do.” Hey, don’t judge me, but also, I one hundred percent agree.
My hotel bathroom
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That’s why this recent moment in Switzerland was right on time. When I first walked into the hotel to check in, I was blown away by the surrounding beauty. It was a five-star property with one of the world’s most famous thermal bathhouses. Yet, it was something about seeing that 90% of the hotel’s guests were couples, that forced me to sit back for a bit of introspection—while soaking in the thermal spa, of course.
As I went through the mental conversation, there was a battle of sorts. On one hand, I knew that being able to partake in experiences like the one I was having at that moment was important to me. I knew that, at times I actually love being able to dabble in the finer things—after all, I’ve worked hard to be able to afford them. On the other hand, and sadly, I knew that sometimes being a single Black woman that publicly showcases her “luxurious” habits can intimidate men and even scare them off from pursuing you under the guise of them feeling like they “can’t do anything for you, because you have everything.”
My hotel room
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So, what is a girl to do?
Do I minimize/hide the life and experiences that I have? Do I play down the hard work I’ve put in to get where I am professionally? Or, do I risk being single in exchange for being able to have said life, without backlash?
Luckily, the joy that I felt while being at this property won. There was something about taking a full day to simply pamper myself at the bathhouse and in my in-room steam shower and soaker tub, indulging in cuisine from a 2-star Michelin restaurant and doing all of this while surrounded by an amazing group of Black women that reminded me—this is certainly the life I was meant to live and that I deserve. Even if it means that right now, I’ll just have to provide it for myself until the right partner comes along. And honestly, I’m okay with that.
Restaurant at 7132 hotel
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Feature image courtesy