warning: bikini pictures ahead

Memorial Day, I have to say, was pretty dang fun.  We woke up early, packed up all our pool goodies, cooler and snacks included, and headed over to my cousin's house to get ready for a day of fun in the sun and a cookout.

The pool was amazing.  It wasn't too hot, there wasn't a cloud in the sky, it was breezy and the water was phenomenal.  We couldn't have asked for a better day.  To recap quickly, it was a wonderful day and I'm exhausted.  But I wanted to stop in and make sure that I kept my word on posting something I had mentioned previously.

Let me rewind a few weeks back.  Before we went to the beach, I got Spring cleaning fever and threw out every single last bathing suit I've ever owned except the two piece top and bottom bikini I had recently purchased.  I didn't take a picture at the beach because we were so busy having fun that I truly forgot.

I had this preconceived notion that wearing my bathing suit at the beach would be more comfortable than wearing it at the neighborhood pool.  Let's face it:  no one really knows me at either place, but still.  It turned out to be the exact opposite.  I felt self conscious at the beach and today at the pool I felt really great.  My fiance and my family kept telling me how great I looked and how I just looked like such a different person.  And I have to be honest, wearing the bikini made me feel like a new person.  I haven't worn a true two piece since I was 13!  THIRTEEN YEARS OLD, PEOPLE!

This blog is such an outlet for me and I have received nothing but kind words, support and encouragement.  But I want and need to be honest:

posting this picture is terrifying.

my body is not where I want it to be.

but it is still 105.5 pounds smaller.

so.  without further adieu.  

I could sit here and list everything I see wrong in that picture, but I'm not going to.  

I see a woman, who made a life changing decision to be healthier, and who is 105.5 pounds smaller.
And I feel beautiful.  

Just to put things in perspective:

I haven't looked at that picture on the left in a long time, and I am so glad that I put those two pictures side by side.  I had forgotten how far I've come and I'm so glad that I've taken pictures to document my progress along this journey.  I mean, what a difference... 

Hope you all had a wonderful Memorial Day!
I know I'm so thankful for those who have fought and died for all of our freedom in this country.

Tonight we are double dating with my cousins at the Journey & Steve Miller Band concert.

I love both these bands, so I'm pretty excited!

all my love, always.