I had asked my mom to measure my body for an upcoming wedding because I was going to be a bridesmaid in a college friends wedding.

I felt embarrassed, anxious and ashamed to even ask as I felt exposed.

I was now 300 pounds and due to the measurements a 52 inch waist.

It was April 2004 and seven years had passed since a conversation my mom and I had around the struggles with my weight.

It was in that conversation where she told me it's no longer hers to worry about and that she loved me no matter what.

It took a matter of a couple minutes for my mom to measure my body. She handed me the measuring tape, the piece of paper with measurements and nothing more.

My mom was so casual and it was not even an after thought.

She walked back into the living room with the rest of my family and life went on.

But for me, it was a huge moment. It was in that moment I told myself, " it's time to take ownership for your health, Allison."

I was a few months into my weight loss journey at the time my mom measured me for this bridesmaid dress, but I never spoke a word to my family about any of it.

There are times you are not emotionally ready to work on what is right in front of you, but when you are ready to let go and release it allows you to take one more step towards closing the door in this chapter of your life. casual bridesmaid dresses