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I was chosen to be part of the Fashion Friday Story collaboration with Cents of Style a while back! I chose a motivational t-shirt that had a saying on it that spoke to me and my life motto. I had it on my calendar to take photos of an outfit specifically for this post to show how I would style it but of course, on the day that I had planned for it – I came down with a nasty virus. Ughh. I am currently laid up in the bed trying not to be too bummed out, because this post needed to go live today to be part of the collaboration.. and well… my hair is in a greasy “my fever has broken 3xs in the past 4 hours” knot on my head. So. Photos are just not happening today.

The good news is that I wore the shirt the day after I got it and snapped an Instagram photo. So at least I can share that with you and these gorgeous photos of the other shirts available – along with the story behind why I chose this particular shirt. If you would like to snag one of these super cute tees, grab them for $15.95 + FREE SHIPPING w/code BESTORY. The code is valid 4/28 through 4/30!

So, Why Be Strong?

You see, I used to be a person who would’ve never described themselves as “strong”. I saw myself as someone riddled with anxiety, someone who didn’t “adult” well, someone who lacked confidence. And maybe you think that sounds nuts because I have a blog and I put myself “out there” almost daily, but there’s a big difference between presenting yourself in real life and sharing snippets on the internet, right?

I started taking aerial silks classes on a whim after coming across a Groupon for a new business in town. I was terrified when I went to my first class. I had no idea what to expect and I knew I would be super awkward. But it looked like so much fun and I decided to just go for it. I didn’t recognize the strength it took at that time, but that was the beginning of becoming stronger – both physically and emotionally! I went even though I was scared, I tried something new that was HARD, and I even managed to stick with it. I gained so much strength through finding my passion and meeting other women who shared the same interests!

Fast forward a few years. Nate and I welcomed our wonderful baby boy into the world. Becoming a Mom gave me a feeling of strength that I didn’t know was possible. Again, I didn’t always recognize it in the moment but it was there to carry me through. When Landon was 10 weeks old we spent 10 days in the hospital before his Kawasaki Disease Diagnosis. I felt so weak, so helpless. But I can look back and see the strength that God gave me in those moments to keep going and to believe everything would be okay. I still don’t know how I got through that time or any of the times that we have had to wait anxiously for test results and to find out what the “next steps” would be. But again, a strength I never knew existed emerged and we made it through.

I chose this shirt because I am strong and so are you. Sometimes we don’t know just how strong we can be until we absolutely have to be. Sometimes it will be a strength so small you hardly notice it- like finding the strength and courage to try out something new. Sometimes it will be so important that you won’t even think about the option to not be strong in that moment – you’ll just do it because you have to. And sometimes you’ll realize you are stronger than you ever thought possible because you’ve worked hard to get there, physically and/or emotionally!

I am proud to be strong in every sense of the word and I hope that other women out there who don’t always feel that within themselves will read this and be reminded that they are too!

Which motivational shirt speaks to you the most? It was hard to choose because I kind of want them all! Sometimes a reminder in the mirror is exactly what we need.

PS: I still plan to take the outfit photos I have carefully curated in my mind. Wouldn’t you know, I find strength and confidence in putting outfits together, too! 😉 Stay tuned!