An open letter to Aerie

Dear Aerie,

I LOVE your store. I have been shopping there and supporting your business and attire since the day it opened. I love everything about it. The sweet girls. The store setup. Fashion, clothing, and style. The stickers that remind you of your worth. The ribbon that is used to tie each bag with love. All of it, it's all perfect!

Then you launched the #AerieREAL campaign and my heart exploded. Body image and self-esteem is something I have a HUGE passion for. I suffered from low self-esteem growing up. Growing up, I was so skinny, it was part of me and I had no control over it. I remember hearing rumors or being asked questions of if I had an eating disorder. I never did. As I grew up, I had a very fast metabolism and I would just eat whatever. I kept thinking I was invincible and I would never gain weight. One day I put on a swimsuit and noticed I had love handles. I was in disbelief, where did these come from??

Every individual is different, we are different for a reason and purpose. As I started following your campaign, I would start to examine each and every model. I kept thinking, I could never be a model for you. My sides and hips are just 5 inches too big. Then, to be honest, I started critiquing my body even more. Just knowing that your models appeared to be flawless and they weren't even photoshopped made me go crazy. It was actually worse knowing I didn't look like them than just believing they had been retouched. I remember one of your models had a mole on her stomach in the exact same place as me, so comforting.

So I propose to you or more like BEG you to stop only using models that are so thin and only one size. Beauty comes in every single size, shape, and color. You preach this, but you aren't teaching this. What about girls like me who have a little extra in places they wish didn't. I work my butt off, getting up at 5:00 am every single day to work out. The results don't always show either. I don't do this to change my image. I do this to prove to myself that I can. I do it to get healthy and to take charge of my body. I work hard, I eat right and I look like this.

In the media's eyes, I am flawed like crazy. In the eyes of the world, I am unproportioned which isn't what Hollywood beauty is about. But #AerieREAL is about REAL girls! I'm real. What about us? Can't you show us some models who look like us?

My passion and purpose in this world are to empower girls to have strong self-esteem and confidence. I figured one of the best places to start is with a HUGE name brand that shares my same vision.

Together we are going to make a difference and show the world what real natural beauty looks like! This is the real me and yes, I believe the real me is enough and perfect just the way I am.

Love, Ashley