sometimes it takes a long time to figure out who you want to be...
i was made fun of for bringing a book on the playground.
i was the girl without any friends in dance class.
i was too shy to open my mouth and make friends.
i always wished to be skinny like my friends.
i was never any good at the piano.
i was never the best at dancing.
i was average at singing.
i struggled with finding who i was.
i often felt lonely.
i wanted a true friend.
i would lay in bed and cry for hours.
i sometimes wished my life was over.
i wondered if people would care if it was.
i never felt exceptional.
i was just lauren...nothing special at all.
...but then i met ted.
and he helped me feel special.
he told me i was beautiful.
he helped me believe that i was worth something.
because i was everything to him.
and he told me i was talented.
after a few hundred times hearing it...i started to believe him.
and with that little bit of confidence, my self esteem grew.
it made me want to try harder.
to be better.
six years ago i stopped going through the motions and started living...
it has been a long journey, but i truly am happy with who i am.
i wasn't instantly happy because of ted.
no, i was able to find happiness because he inspired me to WANT to be happy.
love isn't all about warm fuzzies and smooches.
love is when you are with someone who inspires you to be your best self...
it's when you know that with them you are able to do anything...
love is when you find the person who sees YOU.
ted saw me.
and now i see myself.
101 awesomespice comments:
This is serious, but in a good way. I'm so glad that you finally feel good about yourself, and that you realize that you are unique in beautiful in your own way! I'm glad you have someone you love and that loves you that inspires you.
Serious Lauren is as beautiful as Silly Lauren. Ted saw it, we see it!
<3
This is probably the most beautiful post ever. Thank you.
This is so touching!
Beautiful post yet again, Lauren!
This makes me happy. I'm glad you've reached a true happy point in your life.
Thank you so much Lauren. You have no idea how much we are alike. :) I know EXACTLY how you feel! I know that my hubster sees my beauty and he tells me about it every day! You are so beautiful! And when the world says otherwise, just remember, as long as your hubby and Heavenly Father find you beautiful THAT is all that MATTERS! Luv ya!
first??
so your words are powerful, and so poetic! your a poet and didnt even know it! (gaysauce joke)
man i hate saying ' i know how you feel' cuz everyone says that, but i truely know how you feel. I hated highschool, and i'm still the odd one out when it comes to girl things, but when im with my husband, we are odd together. It really rare to find someone that actually understands what your going through.
Everytime you post things like this. I understand you. wish i could get to know you more. anywho.
great choice of post. i hearted it.:)
jk?? im too slow to be first guys haha
I am happy you found yourself. I'm still looking for me, but having someone who loves you and does see you definitely helps. I'm so happy for you, Lauren.
This was truly touching, and I can relate to this 100% because this sounds so much like my life too. Thank you for writing it in such a beautiful way.
this is a beautiful post...and as cliche as it is, i know how you felt. and how you feel now. finding the perfect significant other can inspire you in the best ways imaginable.
This is a lovely post Lauren! I went through similar things only a few years ago. i wasnt sure who i was or what i was supposed to do with myself. I felt no one really loved me, after a lot of rough family things. Sometimes all it takes is for one person to care, to truely believe in you to inspire you to become great or do great things.
Keep on inspiring us with your lovely personality and great fashion sense oh and your great testiomony. I heart it all.
Too Cute. Glad to see your serious side. I felt that way too, I think we all go through it and im glad you found ted :)
abslutely lovely Lauren . . . i hope you and Ted continue to inspire each other to reach for heights previously only dreamed of for a good long while to come . . .
and the first paragraph? i was that girl too . . .
you and ted are just so darn cute!! i hope me and my future hubby are as cute as you guys :) youre so lucky and ted is so lucky as well!
That was a beautiful blog. It made me cry. Give Ted a kiss for all the single girls out there cuz reading that gives me at least hope that there are good guys out there. Now Im all weepy though. But happy weepy or at least hopeful weepy
That was a beautiful blog. It made me cry. Give Ted a kiss for all the single girls out there cuz reading that gives me at least hope that there are good guys out there. Now Im all weepy though. But happy weepy or at least hopeful weepy
YOURE AWESOME. that is all.
um, AMEN.
Honestly.
We all have our own stories, but ultimately, we are the lucky ones who have found that person. Dead on right, love is not all about warm fuzzies and smooches, there is so much more. Not everything is 100% perfect, but perfect for you, right?
Your love for your Ted is so sweet. I am also amazed that my hubby chose me & pretty much saved me by giving me that inspiration to WANT to be happy also.
Just lovely Lauren ♥
I loved this.
Thank you.
Lauren you are such an inspiration, I want to meet my Ted!!
It's wonderful that there are people on this earth that can make you so much stronger. It's even better when you're lucky enough to find that person and be with him forever.
xo
I know what it's like to be totally lost.
And not the bomb at everything.
But it makes you really figure out who you are, even if it takes longer. You might like who you've become because you actually took a step back and examined things from that perspective.
Taylor Swift style!
And Liz style!
xo
Go Lauren!
I'm still waiting for my own "Tedward" to come along... lol. Tedward's the new standard. Edward who?
i understand.
this was so refreshing to read.
thank you!
this is beautiful.
you are beautiful.
:)
I'm glad you see it, because everyone who knows you does. You are truly one of a kind
I love how honest you are.
I have felt just like you described many times in my life...I can be so shy and quiet in situations where I don't feel comfortable which often would leave me feeling alone.
I like how you described dance class...I've felt that way in dance classes when I was younger and I felt even worse when we would dance because I didn't feel like a good dancer.
Aren't Husbands the best?
They are so good at cheering you up when you're having one of those days.
This post is AMAZING!
I've always felt the same way as your old self.
But I haven't been lucky enough to find my Ted.
& I'm starting to think I never will.
:(
Thats beautiful and wonderful.
In a way i'm a bit like old you - too shy to get out there and make friends...but the true friends make the effort to come to you :)
I admire your honestly, its truly inspirational.
P.S those pictures are gorgeous!
Lauren~I love it♥
Lauren this was one of your best posts. Can I just say thanks for being open, honest, funny, and real?!
This is why I love your blog so stinkin' much.
I am still trying to find myself...we shall see.
Also, to all those mean kids who picked on you for bringing a book (I too brought books to recess)they can go and eat some humble pie...because you are like famous now!
You rock, love you, love your blog!
i got all teary eyed reading this.
i love this post. i love that he sees you. and i'm beyond glad you see yourself, because you're WONDERFUL!
I think this is my favorite of all your posts! Lauren you are seriously the most amazing person I know, even if my knowing you is lacking in some areas! but I always looked up to you in school and I am so glad that we became friends! :)
ok so i just realized that my hubby is signed in... haha this is Brea, not Brint! :)
Beautiful post, Lauren. I owe so much of who I am to my hubby. It's so great that there are awesome men who make us women feel so good about ourselves. Otherwise, I think I'd be having quite the struggle going on. Thanks for sharing!
3 cheers for husbands! But 1 jubilant cheer for self-discovery and "comfortable in your own skin" moments that can seem few and far between at times. Love hearing the honesty and bliss Lauren. There truly isn't enough light shed on the wonder of marriage and happiness found within ourselves!
okay whoa...I was kind of deep and serious. but srsly, a great post!
And now you inspire other to be the best version of theirselves... Srsly, yours is the first blog I open in the morning to look for a smile & inspiration for the day!
Beautiful post!! :)
This seriously made me cry. Thanks for letting us have a glimpse of your past. I felt the same way about Michael. He saw me for who I really was and still loved me. :_) That is the best feeling in the whole world!
This is beautiful. Thank you for sharing it. (:
What a beautiful post!
It took a long time for me to accept who I am. I may have my flaws and I definitely don't really appreciate them, but still: these are a part of who I am. All these awesome people around me, my friends and family, made me realize this and I am glad that I did. I feel much more comfortable with myself since then.
Lauren, you are an amazing person; I am more than happy to have an insight into your personality and life by reading your blog. You are so inspiring! Thank you.
You know, much of my life was the same way, only you would have been one of the skinny girls I would have wanted to be like. ;)
It's amazing how God places people in our lives to make us feel the way he feels about us. . ,
:)
As many have said, you are an inspiration. So glad you've found happiness and contentment.
I love this post. I can relate. And that's all I can really say in a comment. But you rock lady :)
Aww this was a great post to read first thing Monday morning!
Beautiful Post!
That's the great thing about meeting the love of your life in high school. If they can see the nerdiest, most unconfident version of your self and still really love, then you know it's meant to be. Inspiring post!
That's the great thing about meeting the love of your life in high school. If they can see the nerdiest, most unconfident version of your self and still really love, then you know it's meant to be. Inspiring post!
Wonderful post! Thanks Lauren.
I linked to it on my blog. HOpe that's ok.
xo
Absolutely beautiful!!!
Just beautiful.
But I would venture to say that YOU have also helped Ted to find his best self. I don't think it's only one sided.
One of my favorite things that I've ever heard was from Anne Dibb (President Monson's daughter). She was speaking about her father, and she emphatically stated that her mother was the other half to her father's success story.
It made me think. No matter what success Spencer has (work, ect..) I want to be the other half of his success that has supported, encouraged and loved him through it all.
Thank you for sharing!!
Beautiful and well said! You two are wonderful for each other (or so it seems)! Happy anny!
I was just telling my husband this same thing about myself the other night. Before I met him, I was always so crititcal of myself and never felt I was any good anything. He helped me see the beauty in myself, and the things that I can do well. And I realized that it doesn't really matter how the world sees me, as long as I am happy with myself, then I know the Lord will be too.
What a beautiful message! I think we have all gone through times like this. I am glad you found your inspiration :-)
Thank you for sharing, I have goosebumps. This is what true love really is, this is how I feel about my hubby and we have been married for 8 years. It just gets better, and better.
i love this post. i can totally relate. thanks for sharing :)
Lauren, more women have felt this growing up then they let on.
I am one of them. Gladly someone "saw" you at just the right time ;o)
I get that. That was totally me, too. Except the wanting to be skinny like my friends part. I was defined by everybody by how small I was - I just wanted to be normal sized. :) A little taller, a little more athletic, you know - what I wasn't.
And then I learned how much i liked me for who I am. I mean, the confidence comes and goes, but that rock foundation underneath keeps me from falling flat. It's so nice to be comfortable in my own skin, yay!
I am glad you found yourself. You really are a beautiful young woman. You are lucky to have found someone like Ted & he is as equally lucky to have you.
You are going to do wonderful things in life. I just know this.
KS
hello my dear. so glad you did this post. you are lovely in every way. and yes, i now agree with your comment, we were and are very much alike.
Awww!! You two are a perfect match!!
Awww!! You two are a perfect match!!
One thing is for sure you are great at blogging. Great post. I am sure one way or another every girl has felt some kind of low self esteem. I had a hard time too growing up. I had a cap between my teeth and people poked fun of it. I got braces but I wouldn't change the experience for the world. It has made me who I am today. Ayla has the cap and she is so adorable. You are awesome for posting something that lots of women can relate too. I am glad you found Ted and that he sees you for what you really are.
Beautiful words, Lauren. I'm glad you realize you're not just special because Ted sees it but then he's the one who made you see it. I think you are so wonderful and lovely and I am glad your life is full of happiness and people who never let you forget you are amazing. ((Hugs))
I completely understand how you feel! You have described my life to a 'T'! Isn't the love a good man grand! And don't you want to just give and give back to him? Any man who can look at my 50 year old face first thing in the morning and tell me how beautiful and wonderful I am...well, he's more precious than gold!
aw, i really love this post. you are so lucky you found someone so wonderful who loves you for who you are. thanks for sharing such a lovely sentiment. :)
That was sweet and so true. I stopped by today to read and to share. Some day... when you two feel ready to have a baby... I found the cutest blog about nurseries and I had to share it with you. It is fun designs.... you like cute stuff so here it is.
http://blog.littlecrowninteriors.com/
cheers lady.
happy you bloomed into you.
Thanks Ted for helping her with that!
I'm so happy that those days of misery are in the past. It is unbelievably heartbreaking for a mom to watch her daughter go through things like that.
xoxoxo
I love this post. Its honest and beautiful! Thanks for sharing Lauren!
This is beautiful! It's so wonderful that you're so happy together. Great post!
This is why I love reading your blog. It's honest and sweet and I can totally relate. You rock. Great post.
Thanks!!!!!
Thanks!!!!!
You're so beautiful :-)
And you and Ted are so adorable and good together.
Congratulations on 6 years.
And happy Zac Efron's birthday!
wow, excellent post. I had very similar struggles as well and love how you explained everything so thougtfully!
i LOVE this post!
i used to be that girl too.
you are so sweet and talented hun!
hope you and ted had a great weekend...xo
That was beautiful! I love reading your blog :) You are such a cute girl!
Thanks. This tells me I am not alone in how I feel. This post was beautiful and so touching.
Seriously, I feel like this everyday. I'm so happy that you have Ted. Now...I just need to find my Ted.
Lauren, I love all your post, serious and silly. Often your serious ones make me want to cry because I feel overwhelmed. Your mom's comment on this really did bring tears to my eyes. You are so lucky to have a great mom like that. And to have found Ted. I want my own Ted to remind me how beautiful I am in my own special ways. Thanks for sharing the dark and scary stuff with us. You are such a beautiful person.
x, ash
Sometimes I question what TRUE love really is. I have this worldy view on love and I look at all of the gorgeous couples for answers. Does looks really matter if the boy you are with has all of the qualities you are wanting in your own self?? Does butterfly feelings and love at first sight really matter? AHH I am tripping over myself trying to find these answers. Thanks for posting.
I read this post this morning when the day ahead looked all wrong and thank you for making me smile.
I'm so glad you found the person who sees you as you are and can only hope to find this person for myself.
I'm glad Ted helped you to realize how amazing you are and love yourself. :) Hopefully I'll find someone like that for me one day...it would be nice to love myself. :)
Great post, Lauren.
I can totally relate Lauren. And can I send you a big hug too? You.Are.Awesome.
this is probably one of my most favorite blogs EVER.
because i can totally relate.
and you said it all so beautifully.
*sob* What an awesome post!! I just love the honesty.
And wow, thank you so much for the compliment! That means a lot coming from you, the goddess of good taste. I love your blog!! And your fantastic photos. How did I not know about it?
That was absolutely amazing! I'm going through pretty much all of that right now, and this just gave me hope that things will turn out ok.
Also, thank you so much for your comment! It means the world to me.
This is a gorgeous poem. You should frame it and give it to your wonderful husband. You are amazing Lauren. What a beautiful post.
P.S. You always had one friend in dance class! Remember...they all hated me too. I hope I never treated you badly because I always thought of your as my friend! Loves!
beautiful! i got goosebumps :)
beautiful and real, thanks so much.
Lauren, this was sooo sweet. You and Tedward are so perfect.
Loved this post!!
Like many before me have shared.. we all have our strengths and weaknesses. Dancing and singing may not be your strengths..but you have a gazillion others that are blossoming!
In my 20's.. I did a whole lot of soul searching.. It was a good thing indeed...
BTW: What happened to the secret post?? I just thought of a secret.. and came bac to share.. and now it's gone!
My secret.. I'm not sure if I LOVE Vampire Diaries.. or just LOVE looking at Paul/Stephen... :)
Lauren, I don't even know you and yet you inspire me every day. I am so glad that you finally feel like you've found yourself. Thank you for sharing your words, your life and your inspiration with us all. It genuinely moves me :) I wish you every happiness in your life :) Sophie x
Lauren! Dangit! *sniffle*
Beautifully put Lauren. Ted is one lucky fellow...though he knows that.
sweetest post ever. you and ted are beautiful! so happy you found each other.
xoxo
I don't feel bad about myself. I was talking about how I got to this point in my life.
And, yes...I need Ted in my life.
I am sorry if I offended you I don't want any bad feelings. Your thoughts are beautiful and poetic. I never said you didn't need your husband, I certainly need mine. I just mean that at times in you life you will need to stand alone and it will be hard and you won't have anyone telling you how awesome you are, so you need to build yourself up on your own so you can handle hard situations in the future by yourself because you never know what is going to happen. I promise if I comment again it will be a "happy comment" :)
I just started reading your blog and have to admit spent the past 15 min reading some of your older post. I love how blunt you are about every thing and your amazing style and picture skills!
Beautiful post, Lauren.
We can tell it comes from your heart.
Thanks <3
Wow. That was absolutely incredible. You inspire me.
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