What Victoria's Secret Taught Me

This past weekend I took myself bra shopping at Victoria's Secret. For some that may not seem like a big deal and many times seems like a "necessity". I, however, have not been bra shopping, except for nursing bras and ones during pregnancy, for 7 years. Yep...you read that right. After we have kids, things seem to slip down the totem pole and priorities change in many ways. Going to buy new bras when I had ones that  would do just never really entered into my mind.

I found myself wandering around Victoria's Secret trying to navigate the store and people as well as  trying to figure out sizes, colors, and types of bras. I eventually chose a few that would work for me and made my way to the dressing room. It is there that I was reminded of Take Heart and our goal to work to provide every recipient of a Love Tote bag with a NEW bra and underwear as well.

This thought became even more humbling when I got dressed for work the next day and put on a new bra and new underwear and honestly, I felt I stood a little taller. I felt dignity and assurance in myself. There was not anything different about me except that I felt appropriately clothed in order to feel good about me.

Think about a time you felt good about how you presented yourself physically. Think about how as a woman there are pressures, comparisons, illnesses that take away the options to feel this sense of dignity. In regards to the women whom Take Heart will serve, their circumstances have taken the opportunity to feel dignified and hopeful away.

In a very black and white comparison, this is the same as me using my kids and their needs as an excuse to not go bra shopping for 7 years. They do not use this as an excuse but their priorities are shelter, safety, food, and getting through the next moment. How could providing not only for their monthly period through a Love Tote but also meeting them in person, hugging them, and getting them their own NEW bra and underwear help to build their sense of self to overcome the trials and obstacles they are facing. I chose to believe this would be a small gift with huge implications!

What can you do? A couple of things....

Join me in thinking honestly about how you feel as a "woman"...Do you feel safe? Secure? Pretty? Dignified? Presentable? Proud? How valuable of a feeling is that to you?

I invite you to partner with me to pray for an opportunity to speak with Victoria's Secret to collaborate with them in providing discounted bras for Take Heart. I also would like to encourage them to offer discounts and opportunities to donate to Take Heart at the store at checkout.

Would you consider buying one extra bra the next time you went shopping to donate?

Women are all unique and fearfully and wonderfully made. And ALL are deserving of basic needs to be met, to include the unique needs of women in supplies for their menstruation and bras and underwear. I pray you are not only made aware of a need but because you allow yourself to be honest see the connection and power in realizing we are all in this together.