Dear Body,

I often feel like I am alone in life, but even when no one else was here for me, you've been here. Through thick and thin, literally and figuratively. And instead of always treating you with the love and kindness you deserve for such loyalty, at times I've been a terrible partner. I've ignored you, starved you, neglected you, and even punished you, for things that have never been your fault. I've been so critical of you, despite the amazing things you do for me every day.

I'm sorry that I've often put you last. I'm sorry that I've treated you with indifference at best, and cruelty at worst. I'm sorry that I've made you feel that nothing you do is ever good enough. I'm sorry that I've tried to hide you, or apologize for you, agreed with the bullies who have hated you, and I'm sorry that I've blamed you. I've blamed you for things that have gone wrong, for things I don't have, and for things I am too scared to be. I blamed you, I still blame you, and I shouldn't. You're working your ass off, and it's not your fault. I'll try to do better.

Because the truth is, there are a lot of things about you that I really love. Your beautiful voice that lets me sing, feels like the reason I exist. You love to dance, even if you look silly. I think your short little legs and tiny feet are pretty cute. Your nose is adorable, and your ass is well, bootylicious is the only word I can really use. And you are so, so strong. I love when people at the gym are surprised at how much weight you can carry, or how heavy a kettle bell you can swing. You climb mountains, run races, snowboard, swim in lakes - you've never faced a challenge you didn't meet head on. You always ignore the noise and get the job done, even when I haven't helped you do it.

It's Thanksgiving today, and it's important that you know how grateful I am for you. I need you to know that I really want to work things out with you. You don't need to be "fixed," you aren't holding me back; in fact, you've been the one carrying me forward, step by step, day after day. Thank you.

I know I'm too critical of you. I want you to know that I'm going to work on celebrating your successes rather than punishing you for my failures, or what I see as your shortcomings. Please be patient with me as it's going to take a lot of work for me to get there, and I'm going to make mistakes along the way. Please know that I think you're amazing, even when I can't show it.

Love,