Dear Husband: Thank You For Loving My Post-Baby Body Even When I Don't

I don't think anything really prepares a woman for what her body endures after childbirth.  We are so hard on our bodies to begin with that seeing your body look completely different after having a baby only fuels that self doubt.

Seeing my body after my first baby was hard.  It hit me like a freight train that it would forever be different.  I eventually found my new normal and started to love myself again, and then I found out we were expecting baby #2.

I thought after riding this rodeo before that I'd be much more forgiving of my post baby body, however, I wasn't prepared for my body to be even more different than it was before.  I walked away from my first pregnancy with no stretchmarks.  I walked away from my second pregnancy with a stomach full of stretchmarks and a ton of extra skin.  I also walked away with a ton of self-doubt regarding my new body.

If you ask me, I see a body that looks frumpy and out of shape.  I see a body that is droopy and filled with rolls. I don't see a flat stomach or a promise of one anytime soon.  I see clothes that fit differently, most of my clothes don't fit me at all anymore.  I don't see a body that will ever rock a bikini again, and I definitely don't see a body that is even remotely close to the word sexy.

If you ask my husband, he sees a body that was a home for two babies.  He sees my stretchmarks as signs of living, signs of our life together, signs of our children.  He sees a body that is sexier than it has ever been, and he see's a girl that has turned into woman, and then a Mom.  He doesn't see curvier hips, he sees a place to lovingly grab onto.  He doesn't see a scar, he sees the way his wife put her life at risk to bring their kids into this world.  He doesn't see a frumpy, out of shape woman, he sees his wife who gave her body to grow two healthy children.  He sees love.

Dear Husband,

Thank you for telling me I'm beautiful when I'm standing in front of the mirror poking and prodding at my body.  Thank you for telling me I'm crazy when I insist my body is ruined.  Thank you for telling me I'm gorgeous when I don't fit into my clothes.  And thank you for telling me you'd still choose me everyday for the rest of your life.  But most of all, thank you for loving my post-baby body, even when I don't.