“This is hard for me.
I wore a bikini today.
To a gym pool at that.
I tried it on and then my daughter comes into my bedroom and says, ‘Wow, Mommy you look so pretty in that!’
‘Are you going to wear bikinis now?’
‘Are you wearing it today?’
I had to make a decision in that moment.
A decision that could define how she views her body and others from then on.
This was a defining moment.
I chose to say, ‘You like it? Yea, I am gonna wear it, even though I have a mommy tummy that brought me 3 beautiful babies into this world. I can’t change it, and I’m gonna rock it!’
She smiled a big grin and said, ‘Good, you look beautiful!’
So I wore the bathing suit.
Did I feel 100% confident?
No.
Did I feel uncomfortable?
Yes.
But I do feel proud of myself?
Proud of myself for teaching her to love her body by doing the same with mine.
I am proud of my body.
I have put it through hell.
I’ve had 4 pregnancies that gave me 3 amazing children and an Angel to watch over us.
I’ve lost close to 120 pounds and counting.
I’ve had life-saving surgeries and a lifetime of not giving my body the love and respect it deserves.
So today, I chose to get uncomfortable, and show myself love, and teach my daughter it’s perfectly okay to LOVE the body you are in.”
This story was submitted to Love What Matters by Cassie Massengill of Amarillo, Texas. You can follow her journey on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. Submit your own story here, and be sure to subscribe to our free email newsletter for our best stories, and YouTube for our best videos.
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