When I was a child, my siblings and I had a terrible case of chicken pox. Besides two weeks of misery as the virus worked its way through all five of us, the disease left me scarred with pock marks. The largest of these scars is located about 2 inches below my collarbone. When I realized the scar was there, I became incredibly self-conscious. Even at the tender age of six I did not want people to see my scar or ask about it. I saw it as a flaw I did not want others to realize I had.
 
I was an athletic teen and enjoyed a variety of school and competition sports. However, the prospect of buying a swimsuit and joining my friends at the beach or pool left me in tears. It was a challenge to find a swimsuit that had a high neckline that would cover my scar. My mother finally found a swimsuit that fit my needs at an older women's clothing store. It was a hideous one-piece, blue geometric-patterned suit, but I wore that thing for two years because it covered my scar. There was nothing else suitable in the junior's departments of my local mall.
 
As time passed, I began to see things that I did not recognize in the days of my youth. The first and most important was that my scar did not define me. It did not make me ugly, as I had {wrongly} assumed. My family and many of my friends knew about my scar, and they still loved me and saw me as beautiful. The second thing I learned was that I did not need to dress immodestly to make friends, do well in school and sports, or to get asked out on dates. I had jokingly called my scar my "modesty modifier," since I may not have chosen to dress as modestly if I didn't have it. Dressing modestly gave me confidence and continues to do so today. I believe this is because I learned to respect my body by not showing it off as an object. By keeping myself covered, I respect my body for the incomparable gift that it is. At this point in my life, I am glad I had this experience so I can help other girls find confidence in themselves through modesty. 
 
I wish that companies like Jen Clothing had been around when I was a teen! I so appreciate companies who make high quality, fashionable, MODEST clothing readily available. I know I do not have to purchase clothing items made for another generation anymore. I can dress well, feel confident, and be modest… all at the same time. This is especially important to me as I watch my youngest sister Nicole navigate her pathway through the teen years. The message I have for her, and for all girls is: "Be you; be confident; be beautiful; be modest!"

 

Aimee Peterson is a mom blogger at piecedtogethermoms.com, a Registered Nurse, a wife, a mother of four and a homeschooler. Aimee enjoys reading, freelance writing, gardening, playing tennis and volleyball, travel and being with her family.