Everyone likes to take pictures with their loved ones during the holidays. Around New Year's, there are a million photos floating around social media of couples and families.
Melissa and her boyfriend Johnathan were excited to post images of themselves looking cute together on New Year's Eve. After posting a picture on Instagram, though, Melissa got messages from strangers shaming her for her appearance.
These bullies decided they needed to tell Melissa that she didn't "deserve" her boyfriend, solely because he's thinner than she is.
Melissa, who is a body-positive activist, hit back at the bullies. She's obviously aware that she and her thin boyfriend have different body types, but that doesn't matter when it comes to the way they feel about each other.
Now, Melissa's fans are sticking up for her as well, and complimenting her and her boyfriend on how cute they are together.
Thumbnail Photo: Instagram / yourstruelymelly
[H/T: ScaryMommy]
Melissa first shared this image, writing:
Only we can f*ck it up. Only we can make it amazing. Ours is the kind of love that feels right because we are both present, honest, and excited. The kind of love that flows from two people in love with life. Two people who appreciate the moment and the journey. 2017 brought you into my life, and we face 2018 together. Wouldn’t want to do it with anyone else. Love you Johnathan ❤️.
A day later, Melissa shared this image, explaining that bullies had sent her mean messages about her relationship.
She wrote:
When taking a picture in a sparkly dress next to the man you love makes people comment about your body, question your relationship, make judgements about him for loving you.
Our relationship is political. Even though we both know how natural and right it feels.
And if the world won’t just let us be, we will keep fighting for our love, for our space, for our right to be seen, accepted without question, and celebrated.
In all honesty it’s silly to think it bothers people so much, but when privileged people base their value on attraction and relationships, it results in the plethora of relationships that look like mine being erased and delegitimized.
Like somehow I don’t deserve him or our love isn’t real.
We are exactly what each other wants, and guess what, our bodies are a part of that. It’s not abnormal or a fetish. It’s simply natural.
So while you insist on yelling your insecurities and bigotry at me, realize I’m not playing the game you play any longer.
I’m not playing by your rules. And it’s honestly sad you still are. 2018 is the year for Love that is not defined by weight, age, ability, genitals, gender, sexuality.
Not defined by race or ethnicity or religion. We’re having more fun this way anyway ;).
Melissa's followers praised her for what she wrote.
One person wrote: "I just want to say it's easy to see why he loves you — from a quick glance you are confident, fun and of course gorgeous. Have fun and enjoy having a gorgeous man to love you back!"
Another person wrote: "You look so beautiful and so so happy. It's so nice to see two people that truly love each other and are happy for who they are."
Another person said: "This hits home for me so much! My husband is extremely fit and thin and I am a plus size 5'3" woman and people constantly give us looks and judge our relationship. They wonder why he is with me and assume he must have a 'thing for fat girls' when in reality, he just has a thing for me. He loves me. And I love him. The end."
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