This past year I gained nearly 25 pounds. Partially because I just had my first year of college and let the "freshmen 15" get the best of me and partially because I wasn't getting the exercise I needed. I also believe it's because the past year of my life was one of the most important, freeing and inspiring ones I've ever had. I finally got to leave home and leave behind some very unwanted memories. I think I gained some weight from honestly being happy and letting a very bad relationship in my life go away for good.

This weight gain really didn't lower my self-esteem. It actually made it sky-rocket.

Now, I'm not saying it's perfectly OK to gain a ton of weight and not eat correctly or neglect to exercise. I am 100% not condoning how I ate this year. I'm saying that the higher number on the scale doesn't make me see myself as less beautiful. My weight doesn't define me as a person. How you view yourself is absolutely everything. If you come off as confident in no matter what you're wearing, others will notice. If you love the bathing suit you're in and feel like a diva in it, then you will radiate confidence.

If you love what you're in, does it really matter what others think about it? Or whether or not your body looks good in it?

The Aerie Real campaign is something that absolutely has changed my life. Having a company choose not to photoshop their models is something that I find so inspiring. A major company took a huge risk in making this decision and are experiencing massive sales because of it. Women deserve to see other women that look like them in the market no matter what shape or size they are. Seeing a model with stretch marks and cellulite like myself is absolutely amazing. As cheesy as the saying "to get a bikini body you have to out your body in a bikini is" it is absolutely true.

Whether you have gained some weight, lost some weight, stayed the same weight put on a damn bikini.

Go to Target, Aerie, Wal-Mart or wherever you buy your swimsuits and try on the cute two-piece with the paisley pattern or the hot pink one that will make you stand out on the beach. Life is way too short to sit around and wish you could wear a bathing suit like someone on Instagram because you absolutely CAN.

So try on the suit, buy the suit, frolic on the beach or at the lake in it AND of course take a super adorable picture for the gram in it. I promise that you'll be cheered on for posting it and maybe even admired for it. Get yourself ready for all the heart eye emojis because you're beautiful no matter what size. Who said soaking up rays in a two-piece was only for the smallest of people. It's for anyone.

Because both you and I are beautiful no matter what. I'll be wearing a bikini this summer even though my body looks a little different. And I'll be wearing one the next summer and the next summer, and so should you.