I’m That Girl

I’m a big girl. I’m 6′ tall, I have big German bones, and I carry some extra weight. There is nothing about me that is small or petite. I wear a size 11 shoe, size 18 pants (or 20 depending on where I buy them), and I have never been able to just “squeeze through” narrow places like my smaller friends can.

A narrow turnstyle? Forget it. Two people in the middle of an aisle who won’t budge but leave a small area to go around them? Never mind. I’ll just stare at them intensely until they move rather than risk bowling them over like a stampeding rhinoceros.

I’ve had the height requirement for roller coasters covered since I was 6. But at 40, I stay off of them because, while I’m definitely tall enough to ride, the threat of decapitation is very, very real people.

I’m the girl that has to bend her knees to fit into a photo with my friends. The girl who gets stared at for eating more food than her friends (come on girls, I’m twice your size!! I would starve on your portions!!). The girl who always has to reach for everything and hand it to her shorter counterparts. The girl who always hears the phrase, “but you’re tall” when I make any reference to my desire to lose some weight.

I’m the girl who truly sticks out in a crowd. Seriously, I couldn’t be a wallflower if I tried (and I am very shy around people I don’t know). You can’t miss me!

As a divorced, single mom, dating is pretty much off the table too. It seems that most tall men prefer shorter women. Ya, I’ll never figure that one out. There should be a law against that or something. I mean, when your date has to stand on a stool to kiss you goodnight, it’s just awkward people. It is.

BUT…..

I’m also that girl who wants to live a life larger than she is. That girl who is chasing her dreams and making them happen. That girl who has an unrelenting desire and passion for improving her life and the lives of others in whatever way she can.

Being a big girl comes with big responsibilities. You have to work extra hard to make people feel comfortable around you, but you also get to shine from a much higher place.

Life as a big girl definitely has it’s challenges. But once I reach my goals, life in general will be big. And I can’t wait for that day to arrive. Look out world! Yes. I’m that girl.