In the past, I may have felt angry. Regretted all those fattening meals I had consumed. Professed to myself words of self-hatred and felt like I failed myself. I fall victim to body issues just like a lot of women out there. But this time I was surprised by my reaction. Really surprised. For the first time ever, since noticing these new residents of my body, I actually feel like I earned them.
I’ve carried two healthy, beautiful children and have delivered from both the North exit and South exit. I have devoted 80 weeks of my life to pregnancy. I have endured morning sickness, heartburn, weight gain, discomfort, sleep deprivation, postpartum depression, life-altering change, exhaustion. I am raising people. Hopefully kind, independent, confident, trusting people.
For all those reasons and more…I have earned my badges of honor and I will wear them with pride. You should too, my fellow mommy heroes.