Claire

Then...

• Age:13-14 years old
• Location:Northbrook, Illinois

Now...

• Age:25 years old
• Location:Starkville, Missouri
• Occupation:Finance Professional

My Story...

I never seemed to know when it was school picture day. My hair was never done and I had to borrow a friend’s jacket to cover up the scrubs I was wearing (scrubs? to school? don’t ask). I was a disheveled, awkward, disorganized, weird, clumsy, misfit kid and I hated myself for it. The thing is, things haven’t changed much. I lose my keys almost every day, I bump into walls and furniture and break almost everything. Truly, I am the same girl, albeit a grown up version of the one I was back then. So why do the pictures look so different? Why is my smile so big and constant now? Because my process of aging didn’t include growing out of my awkward phase but growing to be in love with my awkward self! I am proud of who I am. I love my body and my mind and my sense of humor simply because they belong to me! The great news is, you don’t have to wait to grow out of it! You can embrace and rock and love and live your so called awkward years to the fullest! I wish someone had told me that when I was 14 and embarrassed and ashamed and carrying a teapot as a purse.