What We Want
This week was littered with a litany of woman shaming and an onslaught of unwanted opinions about women-- who the fuck does everyone think they are? Seriously, we (as women) have much more to worry about, focus our energy on, and save the world from than JLo’s and Shakira’s tight bodies, incredible strength, and straight-up hotness. Please, do us all a favor and step down from your pedestal and recognize what the halftime show represented for women and more importantly for mothers-- we can do all the things that we want to.
Recently, I dusted off-- literally-- a set of tools that I had long put down: makeup brushes. A photographer friend of mine asked if I would be interested in coming out of “retirement” to do makeup on her maternity client and with some trepidation I agreed. The night before, I meticulously prepared my tools, with a similar care that I packed my first hospital bag; I was excited and nervous to create a look that highlighted her natural beauty and to aid in the confidence she would need to conquer the intimate photo shoot.
The energy was dynamic. The atmosphere was safe, fun, and comfortable. The photographer, poised and ready to shoot, was inspired by the mom-to-be, whose radiance was palpable. The mom eventually stripped to nakedness and I felt fortunate to be a witness; I was watching a woman do what she wanted with her body; I was watching a mother display her body the way she wanted-- and it was amazing. She was a force to be noticed.
The studio lights were shut down. The mom-to-be redressed, and as I observed I let out an audible chuckle. The juxtaposition was so striking; I witnessed this sexy woman own the last half hour, posing effortlessly for the photographer, and now I was witnessing the same sexy mom pull up her maternity jeans, complete with navy-blue stretchy belly panel-- the sexy woman was becoming the unassuming mom-to-be again because she can be all the things she wants to be.
As I packed up my tools, which are retired once again, I couldn’t help but reflect about all the things I have been as a woman, all the things I am as a mom, and all the things I still want to be. Thanks to the halftime show, JLo, and her desire to do what she wants I look forward to one day mastering the beautiful carousel move on a pole; if that bothers you because I am a mom, or I am woman, or you are a bit of a snowflake, fuck off, because I plan to live my life doing what I want. You do you because I will always do me.