Devon Ledbetter is a writer and editor based in Florida. She holds a BA in English from Florida State University. She currently formerly worked as a Digital Editor with Love What Matters and has previously had works published with College Magazine and Her Campus. Her favorite pastimes include beach trips, baking, and concerts. You can learn more about Devon through her portfolio https://dnl16b.wixsite.com/ledbetter-portfolio
“They come out looking for our bodies. They come out longing for our bodies. They come out looking for safety, for love, for home – regardless of size.”
“I know I’m supposed to remind you of your inner strength, your intelligence, and your voice. I’m supposed to tell you you’re not supposed to worry about what others think. But also I’m here to tell you, it’s okay to love yourself.”
“Some say, ‘If you don’t want the baby you should just put ‘it’ up for adoption.’ As if putting ‘it’ up for adoption is the easy thing. As if pregnancy leaves no scars. As if once the child is born, she could move on as if nothing ever happened.”
“Talk to strangers on planes, buses, boats, subways… maybe even on the ski lift. I’m so grateful I didn’t go back to sleep and instead took the random opportunity to talk to a stranger on a plane.”
“It was going in a way no parent wants their kid going – not eating accurately and counting down the days of when it’s over. It was a curveball out of nowhere.”
“I was flooded with support, but also stories of ‘my aunt had it and she died’ or ‘my sister’s friend had it twice and she’s great now.’ I didn’t want the pink-washed version of cancer. I didn’t need you to tell me to write my kids goodbye letters. My story was different.”
“My daughter is watching and listening. She hears me when I say negative things about my body. She can tell when I feel self conscious.”
“I logged onto Facebook to find a message from a woman I didn’t know, claiming the expectant mom had told her she’d be placing her baby with them. Within weeks, I received a dozen more emails from different families claiming the same thing. Our dream suddenly became a nightmare.”
“Chris and I sat down and had many conversations about pros and cons, but truthfully, I didn’t need a list of pros and cons. All I needed was my heart to guide the way.”
“The rush to the bathroom every morning, the little kicks in my stomach, the constant embarrassment – it was a lot to deal with at such a young age in such a small town. The guilt was eating at me. Then I found them. A picture of a couple and 2 tiny pairs of shoes underneath a sign reading: waiting for you.”
