Woman Tells Man on Dating App That She Is a Bigger Girl - His Response Shocks Her for All the Right Reasons
*This story originally appeared on Love What Matters.
With just five words, a response on an online dating site crushed a woman's self-doubt and reaffirmed her values.
Felicia Naoum was chatting with a new guy on an online dating platform when she decided to give him a heads up that she's "a bigger girl."
One Woman Was Vulnerable With Her ‘New Guy'
"Let's remember: I'm the girl who writes about body positivity. I'm the girl who tells you not to feel ashamed of your size. Yet, I'm not always the girl who is there herself," she wrote on Facebook in a post shared to Love What Matters.
"I have moments where I'm not in alignment with my own written words. I'm human. I'm as much the reader on the other end looking for familiarity as I am the writer on the front end trying to give it."
In her vulnerability, Naoum was prepared for any response — but what the guy ended up responding completely floored her.
"So after informing this new prospect about me being a bigger girl, he responded with a short phrase of words that shook my soul enough to make me write this. His words moved me. His words, so profound, will probably live in the category of 'what/who changed my life.' And never die."
"I'm a bigger girl," read her message.
His response was: "A girl is a girl."
Why 5 Words Had Such a Big Impact
Noaum felt completely seen by the man's response.
"Yes. Yes. And YES. This man, from internet land, just stripped away stigma with his phrase. He stripped away insecurity with his phrase. He stripped away doubt with his phrase. And he did all of that while telling me, and now you, to not lessen your own credibility in just five words," she wrote.
"I don't know if we'll ever become anything more than just two strangers who exchanged words the 21st century way. But I do know one thing: I will never forget him."
As a writer herself, Noaum says she understands the power of words to help you see something clearly — and that's exactly what happened here.
"Yes, new guy, a girl is a girl. Thank you for telling me something I've forgotten. Or may have never known. Thank you for filling me with confidence in a world that loves to fill me with uncertainty because I don't fit a standard," she wrote.
"In just one text, you taught me, again, that a girl isn't her size. A girl isn't her shortcomings. A girl isn't her doubts. A girl isn't what they say she is. A girl isn't defined by societal standards. A girl isn't here to remind you of who she is not — not a thin girl, but a big girl. Not a thick girl, but a skinny girl. And, that a girl isn't supposed to carry the loads from the insecure voices who once dumped their loads on to her."
"A girl is a girl. Period."
Felicia Naoum
The Beautiful Simplicity of Kindness
While the words were impactful on their own, Naoum felt the need to expand on them for others who are self-conscious about their appearance.
"There's no 'but, I'm bigger.' There's no 'but, I'm skinny.' There's no 'but, I'm too tall.' There's just you and me, girls, in all that we are wrapped into a girl. No explanations. No lightening the blow. As if there is even a blow to lighten. Just us. Girls. Beautiful girls."
We never really know what someone is going through, especially through the veil of online dating, so it's best to always be kind and respectful. Naoum's post proves how important that really is.
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Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.