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I'm An 18-Year-Old With Stretch Marks And I Own Them Because They Make Me Human

An open letter to the marks that make me human.

Hannah Schmidt

Jun 13, 2018

Wake Forest

1000

I'm An 18-Year-Old With Stretch Marks And I Own Them Because They Make Me Human

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bj8DM3fAaPk/?tagged=stretchmarks

I have a secret to tell: I am 18 years old and have stretch marks. This is a letter to them.

Dear stretchmarks,

I have tried so long to conceal you and hide your beauty from the rest of the world. I attempted to hide your stories and my journey while trying to fit society's standards. I wanted to be one of the tall, tan, fit girls I see on Instagram, magazine covers, and television. I wanted to be a girl that others could be envious of. I stared at you in the mirror and contorted my body in the efforts to hide you in my summer clothes.

I would grab my skin and try to measure how much I needed to shed in order to be "beautiful" and would cover myself in makeup to make these valleys into flat ground. I hated you for so long and prayed for you to magically disappear. However, I have learned that you make me human.

Thank you stretch marks, you have made me human.

You surround my hips as a constant reminder that I have been blessed with child-bearing hips just like the women in my family. My butt highlights my hard work on the journey to achieve this amazing asset. You make your way along my stomach as a road map of my fluctuating yet beautiful body. My thighs welcome you as a souvenir of the long hours in the dance studio. My whole body thanks you for making me so unique.

I am the woman I am today because you are a constant reminder of what I have experienced. I have learned to embrace your every line and crease you leave on my body. You are teaching me to love myself and every journey I have been on. I am sorry it has taken me this long to embrace you and all your beauty, but I am so grateful that you are a part of me.

Sincerely,

Your stretch marked owner

10 Truths About Being In A Sorority

(For Girls Who Are Interested In Greek Life)

LaGrange College

1146

Rebekah Lee

I remember my freshman year oh so well. I remember feeling terrified the night before orientation. The one thing that I dreaded the most was not the new people, the new environment, or even the academic pressure. I was dreading having to talk to sorority girls about Recruitment. I remember cutting off and avoiding any Rho Gamma/Panhellenic Officer that came my way during First Week. I looked at them like they had asked me to cut my arm off whenever they asked me if I wanted to rush. To be honest, I did not even know what rush was, but I knew that I did NOT want to be a part of it. To me, it was dumb. It was a waste of money. It was a waste of my time.

And guess what? I did not rush my freshman year. I spent the first half of my freshman year isolating myself from everyone on campus. I spent all of my time in the library, and then (since I was a commuter) went back home once my work was finished.

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Entertainment

10 Must Watch Shows During Winter Break

You've gotta do something.

Grand Canyon University

564

Netflix

Now that the semester is over, you are probably wondering what your purpose of life is beside writing essays and constantly studying. Breaks give you time for some rest and relaxation, and what better way to relax than cuddling with some hot cocoa and some Netflix. Here is a list compiled of shows that must make it into your binge watching sessions, with the website in which you can find it. Enjoy!

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must watch

Student Life

If Disney Princesses Went To Benedictine College

They would fit right in

Benedictine College

1358

The Odyssey

Tiana would no doubt be disappointed in the food our cafeteria has to offer.

And hopefully she would cook for everyone in her dorm.

She definitley would not take any 8:00 am classes because she would be up late baking and cleaning up the communal kitchen that are available in every dorm.

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disney princesses

Adulting

The Struggles of Being A Last Semester Senior, As Told By Michael Scott

25 reasons your last semester in college is the best and worst time of your life

Truman State University

1604

The day you walked onto your school's campus for the first time you were scared, excited, and unsure of how the next four years of your life were going to turn out. You doubted it would go fast and even though you weren't positive about what your future plans would hold, you had plenty of time. You figured out your major, added a minor or two, joined a handful of organizations and all of the sudden you're here. Your final semester of undergrad. Now you've got 25 problems and graduation is only one.

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last semester

Student Life

Syllabus Week At UD Explained By "The Office"

"The Office" understands the struggle of the first week back from winter break.

University of Dayton

1247

January 19th is the first day of the second semester at the University of Dayton, and students couldn't be more excited. However, the excitement that students are experiencing may be short-lived once they see what this semester's courses will entail. Although students will be happy to be back at Dayton, they may realize this semester will be more difficult than they predicted. Here are some things that happen during syllabus week explained by " The Office."