A year ago I took my very first boudoir photos with @tonhyakae, but even more than that it was the first time in a long time that I was able to finally see what others see when they tell you you're beautiful. It's not that you've worked so hard to achieve your dream body, it's not because of the hair, the make up, or the clothes. It's because you've finally reached this state of mind where what you feel on the inside can resonate so vibrantly to outside. - I never connected this word of beauty to who I was until a little over a year ago. There's a certain sense of belonging that I feel about myself that I haven't felt for years and it's an overwhelming and powerful feeling to know that you've finally taken control of your self image issues and started to learn to forgive and love your self for your imperfections. It's a feeling that no one can take away from you even if they tried. It's one that embodies this fighting spirit that can stand up to any of life's toughest challenges because it fought the biggest battle yet. The battle that you had with yourself. #selflove - Not every day is perfect, my mind isn’t always as strong as I need it to be. But I try my best to be intentional about loving myself and all the imperfections rather than forcing negativity on the ways I can still improve. #lafemmeforte — the strong woman. A woman’s voice is bold, #relentlesslybeautiful and powerful. It's time to become that fierce, beautiful, and strong woman that's been inside you waiting to show the world how bright you shine. - I think I’ll have to hire Tonhya yearly to celebrate the strong woman and beautiful woman that I am so that I have photos to look back on my personal growth year after year. Photo by @tonhyakae makeup by @gaylinyet #makeupbygaylin