Beauty Is In The Eyes Of The Beholder

What beauty is to me

When I was younger I wanted to get braces to fix my teeth as my adult teeth did not grow out completely straight.

I always dreamed about having that perfect white smile that they had in the toothpaste adverts.

I hated my teeth. I wouldn’t take photos unless my lips were sealed shut. Whenever I spoke to people I was paranoid that they were concentrating more on my teeth than what I was saying.

I asked my mum if I could get braces. Surprisingly enough my mum refused even though the procedure would be quick and wouldn’t cost my mum a penny. (Children have free dental care through the NHS)

Why did my mother decline? Simple — she believed my teeth were beautiful just the way they were. My mum said I had the most beautiful teeth from all ten of her children. I didn’t believe her. I still don’t believe that I have the best teeth from all my siblings – but I do absolutely believe that my mother actually believes that my bent teeth are beautiful.

To my mum – my teeth are unique which makes them beautiful. For me – my teeth are unique, but not the best. Luckily, I have gotten use to them over time.

Now as an adult, a mother and a wife, I can easily go and get braces without anyone’s permission but I wont. Why? Because my teeth constantly remind me of my mum. My teeth display and symbolise how much my mum would praise and compliment me. I know how much my mother loves my teeth and for as long as she lives I want to be able to greet her with this radiant smile of mine that she finds so beautiful.

So cheers to you mum! Thank you for making me see the beauty in my smile!

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