Melissa Ricks sends a message of body positivity to moms who have experienced being shamed for their post-pregnancy body.
On October 11, Friday, she uploaded an unedited photo of her on Instagram, and reminded her followers about embracing their imperfections.
She , "You. Are. Beautiful. No. Matter. What. They. Say."
Melissa initially thought of editing the photo, but decided not to do it because there's nothing to be ashamed about "extra weight, bibil, stretch marks, freckles, wrinkles, cellulite."
"So I was sitting here editing my photo. Then all of a sudden I decided to not edit it at all. Not even a filter. Just as I am. As raw as it can be. This is ME!
"It's okay not to be perfect. Each and every flaw makes you who u are. Each scar, stretchmark, wrinkle, is part of your story. Part of what has molder you to who you are today. YOU are SPECIAL.
"Don’t let anyone make you believe otherwise. It's okay to be you, do you... Remember everyone is fighting their own battle. BE KIND."
The 29-year-old actress says the scars brought by motherhood are definitely worth it.
She said, "Proud to say this is who I am. With all my body changes, a lot of other things have changed as well. I have become a Braver, Stonger, And hopefully a smarter version of myself, of course couldn’t have done it without God by my side.
"PS. Kill them with kindness."
Melissa has a four-year-old daughter named Kiera with her former boyfriend Charles Togezaki.