Stretch marks are finally getting the respect and love they deserve thanks to an Instagram account titled, "Love Your Lines." Two east coast moms, who remain anonymous, came up with the genius concept of encouraging women to email their intimate photos showcasing their "tiger stripes" and the positive responses came flooding in overnight. There was no shyness coming from these ladies and the result is a black and white photo montage that is pretty visually poetic.
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The photos are only a piece of the self-love magic. After years of battling with body issues, the women in this online community also posted captions about their relationships with their stretch marks. One user posted the photo above and wrote, "My body has given birth to one beautiful child and is currently carrying two more."
The more I clicked through, the more the captions started reading like personal diary entries that I can certainly relate to. Yes, the journey of self-love can be a tough one at times. I have talked so much smack about my stretch marks and cellulite because we grow up with this notion that they are gross and ugly. But at the end of the day, they are a part of us. I'd rather treat my body like it is my temple instead of my enemy and this site, in all of its glory, does just that.
What I find most inspiring is that real women are celebrating their bodies without airbrushing or cover-ups. Also, in a world that shows us overdone reality television stars and a twisted idea of perfection, it is beautiful to challenge all of that crap and, well, just love ourselves with "flaws" and all. It is the best gift any woman can give herself.
Click through for more inspiring photos from #LoveYourLines!
Images via Corbis, Love Your Lines/Instagram
LoveYourLines Photo 1
This mother was celebrating the love lines she earned after giving birth to her daughter two years ago. Beautiful!
LoveYourLines Photo 2
This mom of three admits that she is finally loving her post-pregnancy body and embracing her stretch marks.
LoveYourLines Photo 3
This woman has no kids and wrote that she has had stretch marks since she was a teen. She used to use fade creams and battle with the lines until she finally learned to embrace them.
LoveYourLines Photo 4
This user reveals that her mother made her feel self-conscious about her stretch marks after giving birth. Now, she says she is madly in love with her curves.
LoveYourLines Photo 5
This woman shows off her beautiful belly after giving birth to her son.
