I used to hate this old photo with a passion. Not only could I not see past my flaws that so obviously shine in this image (real or imagined), but I also just felt so disconnected from that smile.

I remember once being told that this was someone's favorite photo of me, and I vehemently protested this.

I also used to hide behind things in order to feel like I could love my falsified self. I was a bat. I am a bat. I used to only love the bat.

But I can love the human in me too. I am learning to let myself love all parts of me.