I wasn't bullied a bunch in primary or secondary school... and by a bunch, I mean at all. Compared to the horror stories I hear from friends, what I went through is nothing next to what they dealt with. I don't have a sad, relatable story about learning to love my body or block out the haters (but seriously, props to you if you do!!!!).

I wasn't bullied, but I was teased. I was teased for packing my lunch every day and not buying like the "cool kids" (seriously, who makes fun of a fiscally conscious youth? I mean, come ON). I was teased for my glasses and braces and for being smart. I was teased for loving outer space, and Pixar movies, and other "childish" things.

I was and am teased about my childlike curiosity, but I fear the day I am convinced to shed it.

I fear the day I no longer pull over on the side of the road to grab the best picture of the sunset, or mural, or cute front door. It means I am willing to pause my day and appreciate the moment. Moments are fleeting. Life is fleeting, and it is absolutely worth pulling over, or rolling down the windows, or pausing for just a hot second.

I fear the day I no longer see elephants, and letters, and founding fathers in the clouds, and I just see them as clouds. It means I have imagination, and creativity, and (sometimes) a small sense of humor.

I fear the day I no longer sing along to my favorite Fleetwood Mac song or get butterflies when I hear the cello accompanied by piano. It means I have not heard all the music in the world and still have plenty to listen to. It means I am still able to connect sound with emotion and memories.

I fear the day I no longer cherish every kiss, every hug, every conversation. It means I have not taken for granted all the sweet, innocent pleasures of human interaction.

I hope I always love to hike, and explore, and seek. It means I have not seen the whole world yet. It means new things still exist to be noticed, and read, and felt, and lived. It means I still have an adventure ahead of me.

Despite the jokes, I will hold my quirks confidently. I am not admitting all of this for pity or even apologies from those kids. I am writing this to remind folks - and myself - the things I got teased about are my favorite things about myself. The things I get teased about today are what make me who I am.

Every quirk, and flaw, and characteristic I hold with pride because they make me unique, and real, and human. Do you have any mannerisms specific to you, or any peculiarities you were teased about you maybe are actually very proud of?

Think about what makes you UNIQUE and cling to the moments when other people recognize them, too. :-)