Sticks and Stones

You know those moments that just stick with you forever, and never leave you? Oftentimes these are wonderful moments that stay with you because they made you feel so good. But of course there are the things that we can’t forget because they were so hurtful and cruel. Today I’m going to tell you about one of each.

The other day I saw a post somewhere that included the hashtag #getinmybelly. If you’re of a certain age, you remember that phrase from the movie Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me. It was said by the character Fat Bastard, whom Wikipedia notes is known for “his foul temper, his emotional monologues that end with flatulence, his vulgar manners, and his unusual diet.” Nowadays it seems the phrase is used to express a desire to eat something delicious, but back when the movie first came out it was an expression of extreme gluttony.

belly

What does that have to do with me? Back when I lived in Nashville, when I was also at my fattest to date, I went to see the Tennessee Titans play. I had only been to one other NFL game, so I was pretty excited to attend. There I was, sitting with my friend and minding my own business, when I realized that the teenage boys behind me were laughing at and talking about me. Finally, one of them got up the nerve to speak to me. And what did he say? He asked me if I would say “get in my belly” for them. How hilarious to ask the fat lady to say that line!

meFBFat Bastard on the left, Elvis and me on the right. In case you couldn’t tell.

As you can imagine, I was furious. I don’t remember what I said, or honestly even if I said anything. I hope I did, but I may have been too ashamed and embarrassed, as angry as I was.

Thinking about that memory reminded me of another time when someone said something about my body. It was my senior year in high school, and a friend was over to study for finals (read: to swim in the pool a lot and occasionally crack a book). I was swimming in the deep end, and popped up out of the water, feet first. That friend, one of the cutest boys in school, said to me, “You have really great legs.” You could have knocked me over with a feather! That is the first time I ever remember someone saying something positive about my body. It was such an important moment for me, I remember it with clarity over twenty years later.

swimPretty much me, if I had been surrounded by friends at the time.

So, tell me: What have people said to you that you’ve never forgotten? Positive, negative, amazing, ridiculous, I want to hear it all! Share your experiences in the comments.

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