I don’t want my “body back” because that means I wouldn’t have my children. 

Plus, It didn’t go anywhere, it only changed for the better. 

I’m not asking you to have the confidence to take a mirror selfie in a swimsuit and post it to social media, though if you do that, I’m all for it. 

I’m telling you to go to the pool in that swimsuit in front of all the people, and make so many smiling, laughing memories this summer. 

I’m telling you to wear those shorts, even if there’s cellulite, dimples, scars, and varicose veins, because I'm tired of seeing mothers sweating it out in leggings in the blazing sun. 

I’m telling you to wear the “whatever makes you feel good” and have confidence in that beautifully imperfect body that deserves so much love. 

Because this is the body that gets to play with your children, running, screaming with delight. Then when you catch them, that body gets to laugh so hard, your heart leaps. 

This is the body that gets to hug your children so tight that you feel every ounce of them in every ounce of you. 

This is the body that gets to watch your children grow into kind and resilient humans. 

This is the body that gets to experience so much joy.

And how lucky are you to have this body that gets to be their mother?

So, I don’t want my “body back” because that means I wouldn’t have my children.

Plus, it didn’t go anywhere, it only changed for the better.