First of all, I have seen a photo of you and I think you're beautiful. You remind me of a young Ali McGraw (in Love Story).

Beauty definitely is in the eye of the beholder, though. It took me a long time to be okay with the way I look. I would love to be one of those waifish, skinny girls, but I never will be and I have accepted that. Even when I was very sick and extremely thin, I still had a big butt and sturdy legs. Apparently, I come from hardy, peasant stock. I'm a solid girl. There are men who love curves and those are the men who will be attracted to women like us.

When I was in my early 20s, a boyfriend told me I had the biggest arse of any women he had ever dated. I was devastated... and then I found out that he meant it as a compliment. LOL. I have also come to accept that "leg men" will never be attracted to me, because my calves could be better described as "cows." They belong on a male rugby player. That's why I wear knee-high leather boots when I wear a short skirt. My "cows" are not a feature I like to show off.

I have terribly crooked teeth (think Jewel or Patricia Arquette) because my parents couldn't afford braces , but I have learned to accept them as something that gives me "character." It's all about how we perceive ourselves and making the most of what we have. I still criticize my looks more than I want to, but I'm much more accepting of and comfortable with my appearance than I was in my 20s. It takes a whole lot of positive self-talk to get to the point of accepting and liking the way we look... and I've found that men are often drawn to women who exude confidence. It's not always the most "typically beautiful" girl who gets the guy.