Names can be powerful things. They remind us of our strength and to keep moving forward. For Dove Cameron, this is something she knows all too well.
In a tweet that she sent out on Thursday, Cameron talked about her name's origin, Teen Vogue writes. As fans of the actress and singer know, she was actually born Chloe. A fan on Twitter asked the actress how she came up with the name Dove, but followers weren't expecting her response. In a heartwarming tweet, Cameron wrote, "My father always called me Dove. He took his own life when I was 15. I didn't get to say goodbye, so I changed it in honour of him."
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my father always called me dove. he took his own life when i was 15, i didn't get to say goodbye, so i changed it in honor of him https://t.co/jYa69Sboeo
— Dove Cameron (@DoveCameron) September 22, 2017
This isn't the first time that Cameron has been candid about her love for her father and her touching tribute to his life. Last year, she took to Instagram to show love for her late father, writing, "I feel as though I understand you more and more as I begin to understand myself in these formative years, and although it can't ever replace the years I've lost with you, I know I am never without you because you are in me."
Dealing with the loss of a loved one can be difficult for anyone, and even more so if their passing is connected to mental illness or suicide. But based on the outpouring of support from fans when Cameron tweeted her story, it's important that we continue to talk about these situations. Even when someone we love passes on, we can still find ways to pay tribute to their lives — and Cameron's name change is one way that she chooses to do that, every day.
If you are thinking about suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or the Suicide Crisis Line at 1-800-784-2433.