The cruel online community called a baby with a port wine stain 'hideous,' and her mom's not standing for it.
A port wine stain at birth is often harmless and doctors can remove the birthmark when the child grows. But they can take a toll on a child’s self-confidence, especially if it’s on the face.
Angelica Bowering was born with gorgeous eyes, chubby cheeks, and a perfect little nose. She was also born with a heart-shaped port wine stain on her face. Some had the nerve to call this baby girl ‘hideous,’ but she’s not letting it hold her back, thanks to her mother Marianna Bowering.
Marianna knew from the moment she laid eyes on her daughter’s face just how beautiful Angelica was. She was never concerned about the baby’s birthmark and knew that God fiercely made her daughter in His image and cradled Angelica in her womb. As Angelica grew, her mother would decorate her daughter’s birthmark with glitter and remind her daughter she is perfect just the way she is.
Sadly they were in for a rude awakening capsized by the world’s standards of beauty. She would post pictures of her daughter online, and people would share their criticism. One of the worst comments took Marianna’s breath away. “The worst comment online that I’ve gotten is when someone asked if her face had been pushed onto a skillet. Basically, saying her face looked grilled,” she said.
Some called her daughter deformed, hideous, and defective. But Marianna didn’t see her daughter that way. She knew Angelica was beautiful both on the outside and inside. In the midst of the criticism, Marianna got the idea to create a makeup look that mirrored her daughter’s face. “I got the idea from vascular birthmark awareness day, where they encourage people to paint a heart on the cheeks. Initially, I just did the heart with my makeup look, but then I thought, why don’t I go all out and do Angelica’s port wine stain,” she explained.
Marianna had the right idea to embrace her daughter’s beauty. Can you imagine what a beautiful world it would be if each of us not only embraced how we were created but also celebrated? There is no need to conform to the world’s standard of beauty when we are the sons and daughters of God, who formed us perfectly, down to every last detail.
God blessed Angelica with such a wonderful mom who adores her and helps her find her confidence. I can’t help but love how her mother celebrates her uniqueness. May we all celebrate our differences!
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well,” Psalms 139:13-14.
h/t: Newsner