Dear Breasts:

A Love Letter to My Body

Never Apologize for Being Authentically You

"Never apologize for being authentically you. I know it’s tough, but you are one of a kind and there’s beauty in every small imperfection."

I flash back to being 11 years old, standing in a department store with my mom, sorting through training bras. My face burned with embarrassment, and I felt exposed in ways I didn’t understand at the time.

The Roller Coaster of Self-Acceptance

Over the years, my relationship with my breasts has been anything but simple. I wished I could wave a magic wand to change their appearance. I envied the girls with smaller breasts, wanted to feel dainty, and often felt awkward in my curvy body.

I wanted to hide away because unwanted attention from older men made me feel unsafe and anxious.

A Defining Moment in High School

In high school, the struggle intensified. Most of my friends were small-breasted, and I felt out of place as the curvy girl. One day, wearing a white v-neck, I was pulled aside by a school administrator and told my shirt violated dress code.

I was frustrated and confused, but my anger revealed something important: this wasn’t about me—it was about others’ entitlement over MY body.

From that moment:

• I decided to celebrate my natural breasts.
• I refused to hide or apologize for my body.
• I stood proud, despite magazine “rules” or stares from others.

The next day, I wore the v-neck again, even got sent to the dean’s office, and was suspended—but instead of embarrassment, I felt proud and empowered.

Embracing My Body Today

Now at 25, I’m thankful for the relationship I’ve built with my body:

• Laying around the house bra-free feels freeing.
• I celebrate my breasts’ natural asymmetry—they’re sisters, not clones.
• I feel powerful and sexy after getting my nipples pierced, for ME.

My breasts remind me of the power and resilience of the human body. Their rise and fall with every breath is a reminder: I’m still here, still moving forward, still thriving.

A Message to Young Women

To the young girls and women reading this:

• Never apologize for being authentically you.
• Celebrate every small imperfection.
• Your body fights for you every day—be kind to it.
• You are a powerhouse, beautiful exactly as you are, and do not change for anyone.

Owning Your Body, Loving Yourself

Celebrating your body and its curves is an act of self-love and empowerment. There is no shame in your natural body. I love my breasts and my body wholeheartedly—and so should you.

Follow Chenelle Hicks for more inspiration: @nellehicks