Friday, July 22, 2011

These Marks | Personal

Source: None via Megan on Pinterest


Let’s be honest here- the last thing I thought I would ever post is a picture of my belly in it’s current state… and UNEDITED. (eek!) And it’s notcheating that I overexposed a tiny bit in order to hide some of the zebra-ness OR that I’m posing from my left side and the right side is where Eli has always been and those stretch marks are a lot darker and more prominent. It’s called being a good photographer:)It’s my job to photograph people in the most flattering light, and for me– this is it.

For the past 8 months, twice a day or more I lathered up my belly with various stretch mark lotions- I did not want them. I am pretty good about eating and did not gain a lot of weight at once, so I really thought I was in the clear. Month by month I gained a little tummy and no stretchmarks- I thought my plan (whatever that was!) had worked! Everything was great, until I got put on bedrest at 29 weeks for preterm labor. With bedrest, I could no longer be active and so the weight started creeping up on me. My first stretchmark appeared towards the end of 31 weeks, and I cried. I knew the worst was yet to come and I dreaded looking in the mirror every day.

The other day, someone shared the above quote with me- and like a slap in the face my thoughts on these “ugly things” completely changed. I hope that someone else will read the quote and find the comfort and peace it brought me.

“..it held you until my arms could, and for that, I will always find something beautiful in it”

6 comments:

Unknown said...

I have stretch marks. They seemed to be worse when I was pregnant with my second child. Was it because I gained more weight? He was bigger? He was a week overdue? I don't know. I hated them at first. Shoot, I still hate them. But, it melts my heart to see them...melt in a good way. It's a testament to how awesome our bodies are. The fact that we bear life? Amazing. Even better is when one of my children sees my bare belly & says that my stretch marks are their marks. I die from the cute.

Pregnant bellies are beautiful...no matter the shape, size, color or zebraness. ;)

katylinvw said...

beautiful :)

Sarah said...

I also have stretch marks. I hated them. After reading your post and reading the quote by Cassie Fox, I now know that I should not hate them and be disgusted by my body. I created a life. My body is amazing. Thank you for helping me realize that. Where did you find that quote anyway?!? It's beautiful!

Wearing Mascara said...

Such a beautiful post. You're gorgeous! :-)

Lucky in Love said...

I am in love with this post. Perfect quote :)

Windy City Kelley's said...

aw, you look great!