What if we peeled back the layers, what stories would we tell?

I wanted to take some fun pics with some silly huge balloons for my 32nd birthday. But the picture on the right is the one I chose. I thought I looked prettier in that one.

But likely no one who looked at that photo who didn’t already know my story would know I was battling breast cancer.

I think some days beauty can feel like being comfortable in the way you present yourself. Some days it’s putting on your makeup, dressing up in a cute outfit, and styling your hair. In my case, it’s throwing on a wig that literally saves me like half an hour getting ready every day… hallelujah And truly, I think all of those things are good and okay. It’s okay to put effort into feeling good and put together.

But if I’m being honest, that type of beauty doesn’t even compare to the stories we can tell when we strip all of that away. When we take off the layers and show people what we are really made of. When we show them the bald head or the scars or the insulin pump or the stretch marks or the prosthetics. Those things tell powerful real stories.

But speaking that over someone else is sometimes way easier than actually living it out in my own life. So I’m learning it’s okay to be both. We can be vulnerable and exposed some days, and other days it’s okay to just want to feel comfortable under those layers. To give ourself that grace to find beauty in it all.

So you just keep being the best version of yourself today, whatever that looks like in this moment

PS. I looked at these pictures together and all I could think was…the year 3232… that’s probably when my real hair will finally grow back haha I’m starting to get some peach fuzz though so it’s trying!

Extra P.S. I’m obsessed with this dress, and I’ve gotten so many compliments on it when I wear it out! It’s in the American Honey online pop-up boutique that will close Tuesday night. Money raised from the boutique will go back to support the creation of a breast cancer themed Christian devotional, telling the stories of multiple breast cancer warriors. I’m currently looking for women who want to be part of the book. So please tag any women in this post or send them to the following link to sign up to be part of the book and contribute their story in a short devotional!

Online boutique: https://american-honey-living.myshopify.com/

Sign up to learn more abut the breast cancer themed Christian devotional: https://www.americanhoneyliving.com/womens-breast-cancer-devotional/