My mother, the original tall girl.
To the tall girls,
I want you to know I see you. I see you in the mall, chatting with your friends. I see you at the pool, sheepishly wading into the water. And I know for your age, there’s plenty of girls who aren’t 100% comfortable in their skin yet. But you’re different. You’re a foot taller than all the boys, and you wear your insecurity in the most visible place possible: your height.
I was just like you, by the way. I got called giraffe, Daddy long legs, all kinds of stuff. It makes me chuckle now, but it stung a little back then. Even coming from a tall family, I wasn’t completely sure of myself and my long legs quite yet in those days. So I want you to know it gets better. You are gorgeous. You are going to learn to love your height. I want you to keep your head high, but I have to admit it’s for selfish reasons, too.
Me, all legs circa 1999.
You see, now I have two daughters who have a good chance of being tall, too. And I know they will look to their mama and see an above average height woman, but I also know they’ll be keeping an eye on you, too. Wherever you are. When they see a tall girl, they will be able to relate to you in ways even I won’t be able to. So I’m asking you to be brave. Be content with yourself. Know that how tall you are makes you special, not a weirdo. Use it for sports, use it for modeling, or don’t use it at all. Just stand straight, with your shoulders strong, and your confidence on display. Because I want that for my daughters, and I want that for tall girls everywhere. You are beautiful, and the rest of the world will see that, too.
XO,
A
