My defining moment is when I heard "I am beautiful no matter what they say" and, instead of tearing up, I smiled... truly hearing the lyric for the first time and realizing that I don't need your approval to feel beautiful and free.

Daddy, I was only 10 years old when you called me fat. Now 10 years later I finally don't feel like that little girl "busting out of her dress", as you called me.

Words can't bring me down. So don't you bring me down today.

f/20