A Tale of Two Bras

How much can one person talk about and obsess over their breasts? When that person is me, a lot! This is actually a tale of many bras but the first title sounds better.

We often say a mother 'wears many hats'. Well, I wear many bras. Not all at once. Well, when I work out I wear two at once but I digress. As anyone who reads my blog regularly knows, I have boob problems. They are many things, but mainly my complaint is that they are too big. Way too big. I have had this problem since I was about 14 years old. I went from na-da to woah-waah!! It was traumatizing. The boys who knew me didn't know what to do. They kept doing things 'accidentally' so they could cop a feel. It was, in one simple word, awful. Beyond awful. Not to mention the stretch marks that you get from growing so fast. Needless to say, I'm not one to show my stretch marky cleavage. I suffered along through school wearing over sized T-shirts which caused me to look not only large chested but larger in general than I really was. And let me tell you that is super popular in high school. My hate for them increased right along with my bra size. D to DD, DD to F and finally to G. G! Who knew?

I didn't actually realize bra sizes went up that high until my doctor told me to go here. I was asking him about breast reduction surgery at the time. I did go to the Bra Bar but was still annoyed that he didn't even want to discuss reduction surgery with me. I still think that once I am finished having and feeding my children, I will opt for surgery. Going bra shopping somewhere other than Wal-Mart was an awesome experience. Once I got over the horror of what my bra size really was I enjoyed the process. They explained to me how a bra was supposed to fit and how most people, even smaller busted people, are wearing ill fitting bras. I would have to agree. Now that I know how a bra is supposed to fit I feel I am a member of the bra police squad. “Excuse me ma'am, I'm going to have to stop you. Your bra is riding way up your back, that's just not right.” “Hang on there little lassie, your cups are running way over!”

Once I was properly fitted I actually felt a whole lot smaller in the bust. My clothes fit better. My self esteem was boosted. And my wallet was lighter as well. Buying a really nice bra costs a small fortune but for me, it is so worth it.

I was very, very nervous about what would happen to my boobs when I became pregnant. I tried to mentally prepare. Miraculously, nothing happened. My G's stayed the same until the end of my pregnancy. I bought two maternity bras. This one and this one. They accomadated me nicely when my milk came in and I was a little bigger. I have to say though, I just don't feel that pretty in those bras. They are my practical bras. And that is what got me thinking about writing this post.

I wear many different bras. I wear this one during the day, this one at night. I wear this one at the gym (with another cheap sports bra over top) and this one when I am working. They all have a purpose. Practicality to feed my baby as well as support, practicality to feed my baby and comfort, the ability to work out without knocking myself out with my own floppy boobs, and finally a bra that I wear when I don't have to feed my baby, one that makes me feel pretty - even though no one can see it and makes my breasts look nice instead of functional.

If I could I wouldn't have so many. It's complicated and expensive. But like so many things in life it is just something I have grown accustomed to. This is my body and I need to learn to love it. Or at least, I can buy bras that make it look better!