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Edmonton Mother's Beach Photo Of Stretch Marks Goes Viral

Why This Mom's Stretch Mark Bikini Shot Went Viral

An Edmonton mother's beach bikini shot of her stretch marks has gone viral.

On Tuesday, Tanis Jex-Blake went to the beach with her children and while she was sunbathing (her first time in 13 years), she noticed two men and a woman make offensive comments towards her, according to Global News.

“All of a sudden I heard, ‘oh my god, look at that, that’s f****ng nasty, that’s disgusting, look how gross that is,'” she told the news site.

The mother of five went home and posted a shot of herself and a message to her haters on Facebook. After local radio station HOT 107 Edmonton picked it up, Jex-Blake did not expect what happened next.

Thousands of supporters from across Canada and beyond tapped in with their stories about stretch marks and positive body image, while applauding Jex-Blake's bravery and sharing their own stretch mark pictures as well. As of now, the original photo has over 1 million likes and over 200,000 shares.

One Facebook user named David said, "I am sorry that she endured this, it disgusts me to be of the same sex of such ignorant people, you seem great and you seem strong, be proud of who you are and laugh at those who try be little you because they cannot get on your level of strength, keep on keeping on."

Jex-Blake wrote this caption with the photo:

"This is an open letter to the 2 guys and 1 girl who decided to skip work today in Sherwood Park where they were building a house, but instead decided to come to Alberta Beach to relax in the sun, enjoy the water and some beers.

I'm sorry if my first attempt at sun tanning in a bikini in public in 13 years "grossed you out". I'm sorry that my stomach isn't flat and tight. I'm sorry that my belly is covered in stretch marks. I'm NOT sorry that my body has housed, grown, protected, birthed and nurtured FIVE fabulous, healthy, intelligent and wonderful human beings. I'm sorry if my 33 year old, 125 lb body offended you so much that you felt that pointing, laughing, and pretending to kick me. But I'll have you know that as I looked at your 'perfect' young bodies, I could only think to myself "what great and amazing feat has YOUR body done?". I'll also have you know that I held my head high, unflinching as you mocked me, pretending that what you said and did had no effect on me; but I cried in the car on the drive home. Thanks for ruining my day. It's people like you who make this world an ugly hateful place. I can't help but feel sorry for the women who will one day bear your children and become "gross" in your eyes as their bodies change during the miraculous process of pregnancy. I can only hope that one day you'll realize that my battle scars are something to be proud of, not ashamed of."

We're proud of you Jex-Blake!

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