body image | beauty

The other day a dear friend asked me if overall I was happy with my body. I replied yes.  Of course there are things that could use more attention or improvement, areas that aren’t perfect, but I’m happy with my body overall.

At first when I responded to my friend’s question, I jokingly said that “well, I listen to a lot of music talking about hot our bodies are…” which is true, but I don’t think that is nearly as affirming as the specific appreciation from loved ones.

As I’ve thought about that question since she asked, I thinking about why am I comfortable and happy with my imperfect body.  As I thought about it I realized a lot of it is largely credited to the influence of my loved ones who’ve been very declarative and specific in their appreciation for me, all of me, my heart, my failures, my body, my hopes, my weaknesses, me, just me.  My friend Amy whose voice I hear in my head when I put on makeup and when I don’t saying “you’re beautiful Katee, you don’t need make-up.” Which is so freeing because I’ve learned to like looking at myself in the mirror without makeup but also enjoying make-up, freely.  My friend Michael who has told me how gorgeous I am, interrupting my insecurity admissions midsentence to tell me in a way so convincing and serious that I would be insane to contradict him, and silly to not take to heart his words.  My second mom and dear bu