This article was originally published on July 28, 2015.
No matter how we get stretch marks — through weight fluctuations, breast development or augmentation, exercise that builds muscle quickly and thus stretches skin, or pregnancy — the general response to them in our culture is "Ew." Stretch marks are those white streaks that appear when your body, for whatever reason, grows fast enough to break the elastic fibers under the skin's surface — and people of all shapes and sizes experience them.
The insecurity that surrounds this natural phenomenon is what inspired two East Coast moms to create the Instagram account @loveyourlines, to honor and celebrate the "tiger marks" we bear. Women of various body types, from around the world, are sharing their stretch-mark stories and photos on the account, using the hashtag #loveyourlines. The moms who created @loveyourlines have asked to remain anonymous, but have shared that they are overjoyed with the outpouring of emotion, self-love, and support their account has sparked: It's amassed more than 25,000 followers since its first post on August 12, and that number continues to grow.
"#LoveYourLines is a social media photo campaign to help showcase the beauty of the female body," the account states. "This account is curated by two mommas hoping to make a difference in the world of female body image. To submit your photos, please email loveyourlines@gmail.com. All women of different shapes, sizes, and cultural backgrounds are encouraged to submit... We can't wait to see your love lines!"
Click through to view 10 of the most striking #loveyourlines photos and the stories behind them.
It's your body. It's your summer. Enjoy them both. Check out more #TakeBackTheBeach here.
"I've been growing stretch marks since I was 12. At first, I hated them! But, I have learned to love and appreciate them." — @kaci.lynn
Photo: Via @loveyourlines.
"23-year-old mother of a beautiful baby girl. I was extremely self-conscious about my body until this year. I was in an abusive relationship growing into my adult life and was constantly put down. I didn't realize how beautiful I really was/am... I still work on my fitness goals day-to-day, but my stretch marks will always remain. Embrace your stripes!!” — Anonymous
Photo: Via @loveyourlines.
"I developed late and fast. I went from being made fun of for being flat my freshman year of high school to a DD as a senior... [My stretch marks] have faded and I have learned how to find and fit bras for myself; it is still a struggle at times, but I do not think about them anymore when I dress." — Anonymous
Photo: Via @loveyourlines.
"I've been struggling with my stretch marks since I gave birth back in December. I always try to hide them whenever I'm at the beach or the pool. But, after reading a lot of stories, I feel like I can now be comfortable with my after-birth stretch marks." — Anonymous
Photo: Via @loveyourlines.
"Three miscarriages, no babies, lots of stretch marks…" — Anonymous
Photo: Via @loveyourlines.
"I'm 22 and I have had my stretch marks since the age of 12. I thought lines came from being overweight, but being a size two, I know stretch marks do not discriminate when it comes to weight or size. I love my lines; I flaunt them at the beach or poolside with friends." — @monstermo
Photo: Via @loveyourlines.
"My stomach that I was always ready to flaunt went from a solid six-pack to this. I was self-conscious and ashamed to show it to anyone. I tried different stretch-mark creams to eradicate my marks, but now I wear [them] as a badge of honor!” — Anonymous
Photo: Via @loveyourlines.
"I started getting stretch marks as soon as I found out I was pregnant. It didn't take long until my whole stomach was covered in what seemed to be a million lines... Each mark shows [the] growth [of my baby boy], and how could I be ashamed of that?” — @RaisingMySon
Photo: Via @loveyourlines.
"This 31-years-young woman has learned to not care so much about her tiger stripes, although it wasn't easy. They are a part of who she is. She had them even before having babies. Mom of two." — Anonymous
Photo: Via @loveyourlines.
"I've had my 'okapi markings' ever since my early days in middle school. At first, they appeared as little white lines that began to grow more and more over the years. In high school was when they really started to spread — being most prominent when I became incredibly ill during my senior year. Now that I'm 21, they are still growing, just as I am as a person." — @victoriameganolmo
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