Woman with Stretch Marks and a Bikini Stands Up to Mean People

Tanis Jex-Blake decided to turn her humiliation into a stand for those who have suffered through the miracle of life (Facebook/Tanis Jex-Blake)

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Ever have a day where the disrespect is intolerable, but you tolerate it anyway? Then you go home, get clear, and all the stuff you should’ve said comes rushing to your head, but it’s too late. Or is it?

A mother of five decided to wear a bikini for the first time in thirteen years and got harassed on the beach by some teenagers who just wanted to be mean. They teased her about the stretch marks on her stomach saying they were “grossed out,” and pretended to kick her. 

Birthing five children can take its toll. A fair amount of women’s abdomens do not snap back after child birth, and that is no reason to be ashamed. (Facebook/Tanis Jex)

So Tanis decided to heal after the ordeal by getting clear and posting an open letter on Facebook. Here it is:

This is an open letter to the 2 guys and 1 girl who decided to skip work today in Sherwood Park where they were building a house , but instead decided to come to Alberta Beach to relax in the sun, enjoy the water and some beers.

I’m sorry if my first attempt at sun tanning in a bikini in public in 13 years “grossed you out”. I’m sorry that my stomach isn’t flat and tight. I’m sorry that my belly is covered in stretch marks.

Tanis reads the kids the riot act. (Facebook/Tanis Jex-Blake)

I’m NOT sorry that my body has housed, grown, protected, birthed and nurtured FIVE fabulous, healthy, intelligent and wonderful human beings. I’m sorry if my 33 year old, 125 lb body offended you so much that you felt that pointing, laughing, and pretending to kick me. But I’ll have you know that as I looked at your ‘perfect’ young bodies, I could only think to myself “what great and amazing feat has YOUR body done?”.

I’ll also have you know that I held my head high, unflinching as you mocked me, pretending that what you said and did had no effect on me; but I cried in the car on the drive home. Thanks for ruining my day. It’s people like you who make this world an ugly hateful place. I can’t help but feel sorry for the women who will one day bear your children and become “gross” in your eyes as their bodies change during the miraculous process of pregnancy. I can only hope that one day you’ll realize that my battle scars are something to be proud of, not ashamed of.

Well said Tanis. Most of us have done outrageously rude things as teenagers, but that’s no excuse. Mean people suck.

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