A few days ago, my husband humiliated me in front of the family on Mother’s Day. We were at my mother-in-law’s house celebrating, and I was sharing how challenging it was to be a new mom but how my daughter’s smile made it worth it. Suddenly, my husband turned to his mom and said, “Mom, did you get those horrible stretch marks after having me? I thought they’d go away a few days after giving birth. But Jess still has them. I’m WORRIED.”

My heart sank, feeling like he was disgusted by my postpartum body. But then, my mother-in-law left the room and came back moments later, lifting her shirt to reveal her own stretch marks. She stood proudly and said, “Yes, I got these after having you. They didn’t go away, not after a few days, not even years. They stayed, just like the love I have for you. Jess has them now because she gave us the gift of your daughter.”

The room fell silent. My husband turned red and muttered, “I didn’t mean it like that…” But his mom cut him off, saying, “Think before you speak, especially to your wife.”

Tears of gratitude filled my eyes as my mother-in-law hugged me. From that day on, my husband never made another negative comment about my body.