A Spirit of Transparency Valentine's Day Edition

A Note From Noél 

As our heartbroken family approaches the one-year milestone of Brett’s incarceration, I’m realizing something unexpected has taken root inside me — a new kind of strength.

This season has been surreal, painful, and deeply unfair. But instead of allowing the dark pit of prison to destroy our family, our great and redeeming God has transformed it into a proving ground for The Bartletts. We didn’t just survive this — we were refined by it. We discovered who we truly are while facing the fear, uncertainty, and fangs of federal prison head-on.

By the grace of God, I am now a PROUD PRISON WIFE, and Brett is living a one-of-a-kind prison journey that is quietly inspiring other convicted men to seek forgiveness, take responsibility, and earn their way home. The Bartletts made a conscious choice to get better instead of bitter, and in that choice, we gave God room to turn our hot mess into a healing miracle.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve felt a strong pull on my heart to share more of the vulnerable, behind-the-scenes parts of our family’s prison story with this community. With complete transparency and authenticity, I’m going to begin publicly posting some of the deeply personal letters Brett writes to me, Cambria, Willow, Lula, and Zion.

My hope is simple: that by sharing Brett’s love letters to our family, other incarcerated individuals will feel encouraged to intentionally pour into their people — to fight for their families instead of surrendering them to the pit of prison.

Please hear this clearly: my husband is so much more than an extraordinary prisoner. Brett is a world-class father and husband who refuses to let distance, bars, or concrete walls keep him from making me and our children feel deeply seen, cherished, and loved.

For example, below are the LOVE letters Brett surprised me, Cambria, Willow, Lula, and Zion with on Valentine’s Day. These words wrecked me in the best way. They are proof of his relentless commitment to keeping our family connected, no matter the cost.

So… get your tissues ready. 🤍

With so much love,
Noél
(A wife who longs for her person to come home)

-Valentines Letters From Brett-

Happy Valentine’s Day, my beautiful bride.

Noél, you are—and will always be—my forever Valentine.

Celebrating our first Valentine’s Day apart from one another hurts in ways words will never be able to describe. Someday, my wonderful warrior wife, I will be back home holding you in my arms, and I promise to NEVER let you go again.

Even though every part of my body aches to be with you, I am so thankful for the opportunity to memorialize and dedicate my love and admiration for you through these handwritten letters.

Noél, I want you to know that you inspire me—and so many others. Your daily attitude and actions during our family’s season of struggle are those of a real-life superhero.

You wake up alone and afraid each morning, yet still find the strength to will yourself out of bed and face the trials and tribulations of long, lonely days.

Your heart hurts and grows weary throughout the week, but you never fail to make our four incredible children feel special, loved, and heard. Noél, you are a phenomenal mother and an inspiration to single moms around the world.

You carry the weight of our family’s finances, yet still hold unwavering faith that God will provide a path toward a bright future.

You are utterly exhausted at night, yet stay up into the early morning hours building your budding business.

You are separated from me by thousands of miles and razor-sharp barbed wire, yet you have shown our marriage is truly one of a kind by sending me long, detailed letters every single night, reminding me that I am still deeply part of our family.

You were told a long prison sentence would crush and obliterate our young family—but instead, you proved that any obstacle can be overcome by creating the Proud Prison Wives community.

Noél, you are absolutely astonishing, and I am beyond blessed to be your husband. I am falling deeper and deeper in love with you every single day because I SEE YOU, Noél. You are a gorgeous genius with a graceful, generous heart. My love, you are truly one of one, and I am so grateful for you this Valentine’s Day.

Thank you for being YOU, my precious Queen.

I love you with all of my heart, Noél.

Happy Valentine’s Day, beautiful.
Love,
Brett