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When it comes to running my own business, technology is a big part of my day-to-day operations. I live off my Google calendar, am constantly looking at my emails, and my iPhone is like an additional appendage. So, what do you do when you need to upgrade your phone, but you’re also attached to your old one for sentimental reasons? Well, that’s just the dilemma I faced the other day.

I never thought upgrading my iPhone would be such an emotional process, but after three years, there were a lot of memories attached to it—and not just my own. My phone had traveled with me overseas, attended tons of events, and contained more than 8,000 photos that served as a digital reminder of what I’d been up to. But, it was the countless hours it played Frank Sinatra and Johnny Mathis songs when my grandmother was in long-term care, that made it impossible for me to retire my trusty iPhone 11 Pro after she passed.

The truth is—my old iPhone was a daily reminder of her memory and made me feel like she was still with me every day. The thought of not having it as part of my routine anymore, or worse, trading it in, made me emotional.

After wavering back and forth for many months on how to handle the upgrade situation and honor my feelings, I made a decision that I felt comfortable with. I would upgrade my phone without trading in my beloved 11 Pro. Sure, it meant paying full price for my new device, but I knew it would be the best money I ever spent.

This past week, feeling confident with the compromise I came to, I headed to my local Verizon store. Now, in my 30s, long gone is the excitement of getting a new device, rather I find it more of a headache, as I hope and pray nothing gets lost in the transfer. Instead, I sat silently and motionless, almost numb, as yet another part of my caregiving journey slipped away.

I shared a shorter version of this story on Instagram, and to be honest, I wasn’t sure how the post would be received. I can imagine that it might sound strange to some to be so attached to an object that had served its purpose or reckless not to trade it in and get money off the price of the new phone. But almost immediately after posting the story, I was met with some beautiful comments from people who had also grieved a loss and could relate. At that moment, I knew I made the right decision for myself…and for my business.