Friday afternoon on my way home from work, I stopped at Walgreens to pick up my mom's pictures. I parked about 10 spaces from the entrance and hopped out of my car. I was in a good mood, and I was kind of in a hurry, so I was walking down the sidewalk in my own little world. A man was getting out of his car right by the entrance, started to go inside and looked my way, then did a double take. I had almost walked to where he was at this point.
He stopped and said, "You know, you couldn't look any better."
"What?" I slowed down to figure out what he was talking about.
"You are very pretty," he said.
"Oh." I'm standing in front of him thinking I . . . umm . . . WHAT? But what I said was "Thank you."
He looked at me, dead serious, and said "I mean it. You are absolutely beautiful."
At this point I smiled genuinely because hey, that's sweet. So I said thank you again and walked inside -- quickly to the photo area -- to avoid having to contour what could turn into a pretty awkward conversation. I was all set with the "I'm married and have a two year old" speech, but he didn't say another thing. He went his way and I went my way.
So the rest of the day, of course, I was thinking about it. Thinking maybe his contacts got put in backwards. Maybe he just has a thing for tall chubby girls with glasses. But the really weird thing is, this has happened before. And people, I'm not agreeing with the guy. Because I didn't look all that impressive on Friday -- sure, I had been playing with my lipstick in the car because I was bored at a stoplight, but lipstick and a happy face? That's not really enough to warrant beautiful. But the other time it happened was in college . . . at Walmart.
When I was in college I would go to Walmart late at night when I didn't feel like going to bed, and I would just kind of wander around to amuse myself. I always ended up buying SOMETHING, but mostly I just liked to see what they had in that was new. And in college I also wore a lot of "earth mother dresses" -- you know, the kind that are gauzy, have embroidered flowers on them, very flow-y. So I'm wandering around the women's clothing department in a daze -- and I'm 19 and not fat yet -- and I notice this good-looking Middle Eastern man watching me. I didn't think anything of it -- because hey, sometimes I randomly look at people, too -- until I rounded a corner in the pajamas and he walked up to me. He said "Excuse me, but you are so beautiful" in a REALLY sexy accent. Gosh, I can still remember his voice today. He looked so sincere and sweet. I told him thank you, then started to step away. He quickly said "You are . . . you are married?" I told him "Yeah, sorry," because I didn't want to have whatever conversation that would follow if I'd said no. Because you know, I'm all about being told I'm beautiful, but I don't want to start dating a stranger whose eye I catch at Walmart.
And these random events just cement one theory in my mind: everyone is beautiful to someone. Ya know how, especially when you're single, you see a less than attractive women holding hands with someone or with a wedding ring and you think "well DAMN, someone loves her and no one loves me?" Some people just are attracted to certain characteristics. It's not that you have to look a certain way or have EVERYONE think you're gorgeous -- it just takes one person to appreciate the way that you do look (and ok, it helps if you like that person back.) Or maybe you just need to put on lipstick and smile more. (Ha ha! Just kidding.)
May 4th, 2002 Our wedding
September 14th, 2002. Going home from the hospital with 2 day old baby Jake!
10 days old and we're ALL worn out!
1st Halloween (6 weeks)
1st Christmas (3.5 months)
January 2003 ~ 4 months old
July 2003 ~ 10 months old
December 2003 ~ 15 months old
June 2004 ~ 21 months old 
Lou's 28th birthday. 10-23-2004. 
Easter 2005 ~ 30 months old 
What an awesome entry Jen! I love the part when you say, "everyone is beautiful to someone" WOW! How powerful! You really are a classic beauty Jen. Your face is pretty all by itself. I remember years ago, a guy came up to me and told me I had the most beautiful face he had ever seen. I think he was serious, which is scary right now to me. I did look pretty hot back then, but still... lol... I loved the tall chubby girl with glasses, thats me! LOL! Only I do weigh more than you! Just so you know :)
You don't need a lot of make up to look good. But I guess lipstick never hurts huh? ;) Great entry!
Posted by: Kelly | February 23, 2005 at 11:10 AM
Oh and a HAPPY girl is even prettier!!!! :):)
Posted by: Kelly | February 23, 2005 at 11:12 AM
LOL, Kel. I don't think I'm pretty right now. I think I used to be semi-pretty before my face got so fat along with the rest of me (but I'm working on that. Trying to. Really.) But I don't think I'm BAD looking, I just think I'm average. I just think it's odd that random strangers think I am sometimes. But I think there's a lot more to someone than if they're pretty.
I do think, also, that the more you know and love someone, the more they become beautiful to you. I think Priscilla is gorgeous (and she thinks she's ugly), and when I told her the guy said that and I was like "o-k . . ." she said "but you ARE pretty!!!" Pretty is as pretty does, maybe?
jen
Posted by: Jen_Jake'smom | February 23, 2005 at 11:34 AM
Oh, I am so picturing Sayid from Lost right now! :-D Neat entry!
Posted by: Jen A | February 23, 2005 at 11:48 AM
JenA, that's actually who the Walmart guy reminded me of!!! I was thinking that the other day!!!
jen
Posted by: Jen_Jake'smom | February 23, 2005 at 11:56 AM
I like that: Pretty is as pretty does. And some lipstick and a genuine smile go a long way in my book. :)
It is always nice to have a compliment like that - really makes your day. Or week. Or year even.
When Veronica was 6 weeks old (remember how sexy you feel right after having a baby? NOT), I was driving her to show her off to my coworkers and some guy pulled up next to me at about 4 lights and finally asked for my number. He was smiling and waving and trying to get my attention since the 2nd light. I just was incredulous - I mean, here I was in postpregnant-fat-sleepless-eyebags hell and this guy (cute, by the way) in his pick-up was trying to pick me up. Unbelievable. But I would bet it was the happiness of new motherhood that shone on my face and he just saw the beauty in it.
Great entry, Jen.
Posted by: Holly | February 23, 2005 at 02:24 PM
Jen, you're beautiful, babe!! I always thought so in high school and I still think so now! Great entry!!
Posted by: Andrea | February 23, 2005 at 07:52 PM
Oh! I meant to tell you that I found some old pictures from our sleep overs in high school...You know, the ones when we would dress up in each others dresses and pose for silly pictures!! I'm going to have Mom send me the albums and I'll e-mail you the best ones!! They are hilarious!!
Posted by: Andrea | February 23, 2005 at 07:59 PM
Hi Jen - You ARE beautiful. I bet that made your day. Did you tell Lou?
Posted by: Rae | February 23, 2005 at 09:33 PM
What a great thing to brighten up your day! You ARE beautiful Jen - outside and inside. That's why we all love ya!
Someone once told me I looked like Princess Di (years ago, pre-baby and weight gain of course). That just about made my YEAR :)
Posted by: Sue | February 24, 2005 at 12:52 AM
*Note to self: Buy lipstick tomorrow.* Lipstick is far easier to come by than smiles these days...
Great entry. :)
Posted by: Kate | February 24, 2005 at 04:12 AM
Drea --
yes, I totally remember those pictures. I LOVE THEM. They totally crack me up. You always made my weekends so much fun (well, you and Casey Sue -- have you heard from her lately?) I'd love to see your favorites. One of these days I'm going to start scrapping high school (kind of bogged down scrappin' Jake right now) and you know that you will be the star or a lot of those pages! We all miss you in an absurd way (me, Kat, mom), and we wish you would come visit us! Doesn't Tennessee sound better than Hawaii for spring? No? Well will you come anyway? ;o) LOVE YOU, SIS!!!
Jen
P.S. Mary is turning 28 next week! Wow!
Posted by: Jen_Jake'smom (FOR ANDREA) | February 24, 2005 at 08:14 AM
"Everyone is beautiful to someone"....WOW...thanks for giving me something to think about on this dreary, cold, snowy day when I am feeling at a very low point as far as my appearance goes. Glad someone was kind enough to make you feel good!!
Posted by: Tricia | February 24, 2005 at 03:57 PM
Actually I was thinking that all of you need to come visit Andy and I here!!! You know we would cover room and board (we have plenty of room in our apartment)!! All you need is the plane ticket and you can find some pretty good deals on those! Jake can come, too! One of our friends has a little daughter that he can play with!! ...Think about it!! :o)
As far as Casey...I heard that she is living in Billings now. She married Mitch S. from our class and they have 2 kids. We kind of lost touch the last couple of years of high school. It was one of those things where she constantly thought that I was after Mitch. Pretty sad because she was a good friend, but that's what happens sometimes I guess. It doesn't bother me now, but obviously I had a hard time with it then.
Anyway, Mom and Dad are coming down here next month for their anniversary and they are going to bring the photo books with them. I'll be sure to send my favs when I get them!! I know Andy is going to get a kick out of them!! Later!
Posted by: Andrea | February 24, 2005 at 06:37 PM
Please be sure to say Happy Birthday to Mary for me!! Where is she now?
Posted by: Andrea | February 24, 2005 at 06:39 PM