Then, I saw my friend’s story on social media. It was a photo of me holding her daughter. It read, “Get yourself a community where your kids are loved like family.”

I was jolted back into reality. 

The people I love the most aren’t looking at my insecurities. They are loving me in my strengths (and I have a lot of those). She feels safe with me holding her child. 

What makes me more beautiful than being a safe space for other women?

What makes me more beautiful than my husband wanting to slow dance with me in the kitchen?

What makes me more beautiful than my daughter asking me to sing that silly song again and we both belly laugh until we’re crying. 

Society has told me that my value is in keeping up my youthful appearance.

But, love has shown me that my being could never be dimmed by what the mirror reflects.

Women, look at your reflection in the eyes of those who hold you dear, not by what you tell yourself when you look in a piece of glass.