Emily: Hey girl.
Julia: Hi Mama.
Emily: So I just started wearing shorts, at age 45. What do you think about that?
Julia: I think I like it because I have always wondered why you don’t wear shorts. And I’m glad you feel comfortable wearing them because I think you look really good in them.
Emily: Thank you! I never liked my legs, so I was always afraid to show them.
Julia: I don’t think there’s anything wrong with legs.
Emily: It goes back to my childhood. I always thought my legs were chunky. I have big calf muscles and my upper thighs are … upper thighs. So I never ever wore shorts. But, then I was with you and the oldest teen at Walmart in Polson, Montana (the only place to shop in that small town) and we found a cute pair of shorts that looked like Lululemon knockoffs. And they were $9. So I bought them.
Julia: When I was, like, 7 (Emily note: she’s now 10 almost 11), I always thought I was different because the other girls at Arena Sports (indoor gym) had smaller thighs than me. And mine smooshed together and spread. Now I realize those girls were very skinny. I would try to lift up my legs from the floor so they looked skinnier. But now I don’t care.
Emily: At age 7. Great. I hear you – when I sit criss-crossed, my legs get all smooshy too.
Julia: I don’t care anymore because most girls have it. And all my friends have the same body type in general as me.
Emily: You have great, long legs. You have Auntie J’s legs.
Julia: I do. She has long legs. I want your boobs though.
Emily: Um, my boobs are beasts, but I love them. Haha. Is there any clothing you don’t like wearing?
Julia: Dresses or skirts, especially if they are on the longer side. They make me feel quote unquote girly. And I’d rather wear what makes me confident like a pair of jeans and a shirt and other accessories. I’d much rather wear that. When I’m out in public and I’m wearing a dress, I just feel less mature. And when I wear a dress I tend to compare myself to others because I don’t feel confident.
Emily: Did you feel that way at Lexie and Brad’s rehearsal dinner? You wore a dress there.
Julia: No, that dress was shorter and it was a trendy dress. And I wore it with Doc Martens-lookalike boots.
Emily: Anything else? How are you going to keep your self confidence as you get older?
Julia: By wearing things that I like to wear and making sure that I try to look my best on days when I want to feel confident. And by trying not to compare myself to others. I’m also going to try to stay in shape over the years, and I’m going to try to have a good mindset.
Emily: Lovely, thank you.