Growing up, aunties would always pinch my cheeks.

“Gol matol,” they’d say. Which meant, “chubby cheeks.”

I’ve always had them.

Even at the height of my “skinniness,” when I was eating lettuce and soy sauce for lunch, my cheeks were always there.

And when people commented on them constantly, it became an insecurity of mine.

No matter how much weight I lost, my cheeks were ever present.

And I hated them.

I wanted my mom’s slender face. Her oval shape. But, somehow, I was stuck with a round head with big, chunky cheeks.

Cheeks that everyone wanted to pinch. All. The. Time.

The other day at the wedding, someone made a comment about my cheeks and, for what felt like the first time ever, I didn’t feel defensive or self-conscious.

Someone was meeting Ishaan for the first time and he said, “I see both you and Ankur.” I, for one, was shocked. After all, everyone has made it so clear that Ishaan is Ankur’s mini in every whatsoever way.

“Thank you,” I said, “Everyone says he is identical to Ankur. I’m happy you see me in him!”

“Yes. He has Ankur’s eyes,” he started to say. “But he has your cheeks.”

My hands instinctively reached up and caressed the side of my face.

I smiled.

Looking down at him. And seeing myself in his cheeks.

His cheeks have been my favorite since Day 1. I want to eat them. All the time.

Later that night, as I was rocking him back and forth, I lifted him up to my face. Smushing his cheek next to mine.

Thinking how interesting it is that the things I hated about myself are the things I absolutely adore about him. His chunky thighs. His perfect cheeks.

I love them on him.

And, thus, I will love them on me.

Question of the Day:

What is one feature you LOVE about yourself?