When I was little, my dad thought it was the funniest thing to try and count the specks on my face as if they were the stars in the clear night sky. Every time he'd act as though he lost count, and would start all over again. I despised my freckles for making me stand out; I thought they made my face look dirty. When I was older, my parents were upset one day because they thought the larger freckle on my nose was a nose ring.

It wasn't until high school when I really started appreciating my freckles, especially in the summer as they started to spread on my shoulders and arms. I wasn't ever tan, even after laying out for hours in the sun, so the freckles were somewhat a compromise. My freckles were something I began to embrace, something that became a part of who I am. I began receiving compliments from friends and admirers, and I realized that my freckles making me stand out has always been a good thing. Being different is way cool.

The top definition for freckles in the Urban Dictionary defines them as "something on a pretty girl that makes her irresistible. Girls with freckles drive me crazy, it's just so cute." [Hair flip.] Well, thank you, anonymous Urban Dictionary guy.

Not to mention, it's quite fun to spend your time connecting the dots; I found the cutest smiley face on my leg last week.

I love that my freckles add to my personal identity. I love that they give me confidence and bring out my other assets (like my green eyes!) I love that they remind me of the women I look up to in my family, like my mom and my aunts.

Whatever you love about your freckles, they make you unique and beautiful. Don't always feel that you need to clean that dirt off your face with that foundation powder or contour layers. You're naturally beautiful as you are!