Erica Tenlen (28 - she/her) Finn (4), Violet (3) and Theo (4 mos)
Ann Arbor, MI
How has parenthood impacted your body image?
After I give birth I feel the most beautiful and invincible. I have an inner peace that my body was made to do this. All of that kinda changes around 6 weeks postpartum when my anxiety creeps in. But even with my insecure thoughts, there is this underlying strength that motherhood has given me. I feel stronger than I have ever felt, and even though there is nothing clean or put together about my look these days, I do feel beautiful.
What is your truth?
You can do this and you were made to do this. You CAN do hard things.
Why did you choose to participate in this movement and share your story?
I saw that 4th Trimester Bodies Project was coming to my town and I told my husband, “Wow I wish I was strong and brave enough to do this.” He looked at me in the most supportive and loving way and said “Well, now you have to.” My husband always pushes me to be the bravest and best version of myself. Having him and my kids by my side to prove to myself I could do this was so life giving. I have been blaming myself and my body for some medical issues my children are dealing with, and taking this pictures at the time we did and thanking my body for what it has done was a therapy I never realized I needed.