Ok, so bear with me a minute here..

I’m super insecure about my looks. I think I have a cute face with nice eyes and pretty hair, but my body is the heaviest it’s ever been and is disproportionate in areas. I have bunches of stretch marks, and patches of hair where hair doesn’t typically grow on women. I have a very oily complexion. And, I’m almost 30 and I have braces. Plenty for any lady to feel self-conscious about, if one is as sensitive as I am and has dealt with being uncomfortable in their own skin for as long as I have.

But you know what’s crazy?

There’s this man. A man who has some great physical qualities but whom society would ultimately deem unattractive, just like me. And some way, somehow, this man fell head over heels for me the night we met. Since day one, this man has treated me like I’ve always dreamed of being treated, but never thought I would because I was starting to believe there was no man that amazing out there for me. This man whom my weary heart resisted for so long for fear of being hurt again, only to have love for him awakened like the blossoming of the most beautiful flower.

This man is now my significant other, and the love of my life.

At my most insecure, someone managed to fall in love with me who genuinely thinks I’m beautiful. Who makes me feel genuinely beautiful. He puts the stars in my sky. It’s a love that feels new and fresh like the smell after a rainshower, while also feeling old and comfortable like your favorite sleep clothes.

And I think that if I can find that without even looking for it, others can too. Don’t lose hope.