This summer when I backed into a shopping cart with my mom’s brand new car I apologized. When I forgot about plans with my friends and missed them, I apologized. I’ve said sorry thousands of times throughout my nineteen years of life but, there is one thing I will never be apologetic about. I will never be sorry that I am not a size double zero.

Many things like shallow boys or magazines have tried to make me feel that my size was not acceptable in society. People I was once friends with have degraded “my” size. I’ve heard laughs while clothes shopping or been told I shouldn’t wear certain things because of “my” size but, I don’t see the problem with “my” size. Why should I ever apologize for being “my” size? And if it’s truly “my” size why are people offended by it?

I don’t know what it is with people who shame people for being who they are. Do you think “my” size is unhealthy? Because it’s not, I’m actually an extremely healthy person. Do you think I can only wear pants because I have cellulite? Because I definitely own more yoga pants and shorts than any actual pairs of jeans. Does “my” size personally affect the funny, smart, and intelligent person I am? Because I don’t think so. So why should I apologize for being me?

I feel that it is ridiculous that people who are the same size as me apologize for not being a double zero. You shouldn’t feel like any less of a human being because your pants are a size 14. You are just as beautiful as the girl in the same jeans that are seven sizes smaller. You should never feel that the sight of you is bad enough to apologize about.

I know, I know you’ve heard things that have gotten you to the point of apologizing but, unfortunately anyone “our” size has. Shopping at Forever 21 the other day I heard a daughter say to her mother, “I don't even know why they sell plus size here.” Even though that statement fired me up, I never thought “I’m sorry my size 14 jeans are sold in the establishment as your size double zero.” Instead I ignored the ignorance, tried on multiple dresses, and felt amazing in every single one.

People criticize girls who’s pant sizes are larger than a size four and I just can’t wrap my head around why. Never once when meeting someone have I felt inclined to judge them on the size of their pants. If your personality is one of a good person than you don’t need to worry about the tag on your pants. So the next time you hear a mean comment about your weight don’t feel inclined to apologize. You have done nothing wrong. You are a truly beautiful person and you don’t deserve to apologize for being happy.