It was Tanis Jex-Blake’s first time at the beach in 13 years. The mother of five from Alberta, Canada had mustered enough courage to strip down into a bikini in order to get some nice tanning time under the sun. Sadly, what should have been a day of happiness and relaxation turned into a terrible ordeal, and she went home crying. Later that day, she posted something to Facebook that has now caused a HUGE buzz on social media:
This is an open letter to the 2 guys and 1 girl who decided to skip work today in Sherwood Park where they were building a house, but instead decided to come to Alberta Beach to relax in the sun, enjoy the water and some beers.
I’m sorry if my first attempt at sun tanning in a bikini in public in 13 years ‘grossed you out’. I’m sorry that my stomach isn’t flat and tight. I’m sorry that my belly is covered in stretch marks. I’m NOT sorry that my body has housed, grown, protected, birthed and nurtured FIVE fabulous, healthy, intelligent and wonderful human beings. I’m sorry if my 33 year old, 125 lb body offended you so much that you felt that pointing, laughing, and pretending to kick me. But I’ll have you know that as I looked at your ‘perfect’ young bodies, I could only think to myself ‘what great and amazing feat has YOUR body done?. I’ll also have you know that I held my head high, unflinching as you mocked me, pretending that what you said and did had no effect on me; but I cried in the car on the drive home. Thanks for ruining my day. It’s people like you who make this world an ugly hateful place. I can’t help but feel sorry for the women who will one day bear your children and become “gross” in your eyes as their bodies change during the miraculous process of pregnancy. I can only hope that one day you’ll realize that my battle scars are something to be proud of, not ashamed of.
Jex-Blake’s powerful message resulted in her Facebook post being picked up by a local radio station, and was subsequently shared over 1 MILLION times…
Canada’s Global News also did a story and even interviewed her in person.
It’s not hard to see why her story has resonated with so many people. No woman should be made to feel ashamed of her body. As one Facebook commenter aptly put it:
“I love your scars, from one mummy to another.“