5yo: Mom, I wish you could take a Wonkavite.

Me: What’s that?

5yo: You know, from Willy Wonka? The vitamin that makes you 20 years younger.

Me: Er, why do you want me to take that?

5yo: Because then your belly wouldn’t be all wrinkly.

Me: —–

5yo: And bumpy.

Me: —–

5yo: And BIG!

Me: Okay, okay, okay! I get it. Enough with the adjectives!

I’m not going to lie, his words stung me. Kids are just awesome for the self-esteem. I opened my mouth and was about to tell him that he wasn’t being nice. I was about to tell him that he hurt my feelings. And then I decided, NO. I was not going to be insecure about my stretch marks and muffin top in front of my son. I was going to own it. I was going to tell him why my belly is how it is.

Me: Do you know why my belly is wrinkly and bumpy and big?

5yo: No.

Me: Because you and your sister were once in there. Because I made you guys in there and you grew big, big, big in there. My belly is like this because it performed a miracle.

He looked at me for a moment, and then flung himself at me. He hugged and kissed my stomach and looked up at me with his huge hazel eyes.

5yo: I love your belly, Mommy. You don’t need a Wonkavite.

I hugged him closer. And in that moment I loved every stretch mark, every wrinkle, every bulge on my belly. Because it gave me this beautiful boy and his beautiful sister. It created life. Twice. And that is beautiful.

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