Dear Ashley Graham, (My role model)
Hi, my name is Emily, I have been one of your biggest fans for over five years now. I remember last year just around this time you commented on one of my photos. You have no idea how much that meant to me. Currently, right now I am crying writing this and I haven't even made it to the end of the paragraph LOL.
You changed my life when I first saw your photo in one of the stores I was shopping in. You helped me get through high school with the style and poise you have. I really hope you understand on how much of an impact you made on me and all of the girls around the world. You made us feel beautiful again when society was telling us we were not. I just want to say thank you.
When I was growing up I was always "the heavier girl." All my friends would be thinner than me, being able to wear the "normal sized" clothing in JcPenny's and I would have to go to the girls little plus size section. I cried almost every night back then, and even in high school. It is taking a lot of courage for me to come out and say that I cried because I felt too fat, too big that no one will ever love me. No guy would want me because I have big thighs, a butt, stretch marks and boobs I cried all the time, I would mostly cry because I felt lost and did not know what to do. I wanted to be different, I hated myself. Boys never noticed me, they just stared. I would go in the dressing rooms and just cry of frustration. I never loved it, because I always felt ugly. I still struggle with that but when I saw your advertisement that day, my life was changed. Then I saw how beautiful you were and that how you looked like me. You inspired me to "potentially" pursue a modeling career as a plus size model. I want to help girls like myself feel beautiful and wanted.
Growing up was hard, having the stores, TV commercials and magazines showing me what I had to be to wear that top and jeans. I would see all of the pretty girls in my high school, tall, and skinny and beautiful in my eyes. I wanted to feel that beautiful and find a boyfriend and even get my first kiss. I never got either even still today, but you are giving me hope and confidence to go out and not be afraid of what others think about myself. Ashley, you changed me and you are helping the world see that beauty can come in every size. I hope one day Victoria Secret runs on this bandwagon and asks you to be a Angel. That has always been my dream to be Angel and a model, to travel the world, and being a model for forever 21. You helped me and many other girls get that confidence boost to go out in the world and just be us. I only hope one day to meet you, I make no promises that I will cry but I just wanted to let you know how much you helped me.
From a girl who looks up to you,
Emily
