This body.

This body right here?
Sometimes it feels good.
Sometimes it doesn’t.
Sometimes it feels strong, and fierce, and amazing.
Sometimes I wish it looked “better in these jeans.”
.
Sometimes I don’t post a picture because I don’t like the way it looks (perhaps like in this photo from 2018 that I never shared).
.
But F that.
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THIS BODY?
.
It grew two healthy babies.
It walked me down the aisle.
It won the county swim meet in 1996.
It scored winning goals, and won dance contests in Tahoe (remember that one girls 🤪)!?
It nursed two tiny babies for almost 10 months each.
.
These arms?
They’ve hugged my loved ones in times of need.
They are strong enough to carry 30 lbs. of 3 year old, and 24 lbs. of (almost) 2 year old… AT THE SAME TIME.
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This body right here? It is everything.
So, enough with not posting the pic. Enough with caring how it looks in jeans, or a swimsuit, or on our next Christmas card. I am so very grateful for this body.
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And, this body now that I’m a mother?
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I move it almost daily. I exercise to make it *strong*.
I exercise to FEEL good instead of to look good.
I move it to keep up with my kids, and I move it so I can *be here* for my kids.
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I love it.
I praise it.
I am joyful about it.
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For me… and for her. For teeny tiny Gracie baby. Because I know she’s watching. And, eventually, one day the media, and even well-meaning friends and family, might try to tell her that maybe she shouldn’t love her body too.
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But, not today. Not in this house.
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Because HERE, we love our bodies. So, wear the suit. Post the pic. Be the example, mama. Because, our girls are watching, my friends. And, come to think of it, our boys are watching too.