When taking a picture in a sparkly dress next to the man you love makes people comment about your body, question your relationship, make judgements about him for loving you.
Our relationship is political. Even though we both know how natural and right it feels. And if the world won’t just let us be, we will keep fighting for our love, for our space, for our right to be seen, accepted without question, and celebrated.
She goes on to note how “silly” it is for a relationship to bother strangers who have no say or part in it:
In all honesty it’s silly to think it bothers people so much, but when privileged people base their value on attraction and relationships, it results in the plethora of relationships that look like mine being erased and delegitimized. Like somehow I don’t deserve him or our love isn’t real. We are exactly what each other wants, and guess what, our bodies are a part of that. It’s not a abnormal or a fetish. It’s simply natural.
She ends her message by announcing she is no longer “playing by the rules” and calling people out for their outdated beliefs on sexuality, race, and body:
So while you insist on yelling your insecurities and bigotry at me, realize I’m not playing the game you play any longer. I’m not playing by your rules. And it’s honestly sad you still are. 2018 is the year for Love that is not defined by weight, age, ability, genitals, gender, sexuality. Not defined by race or ethnicity or religion. We’re having more fun this way anyway 😉
The post quickly went viral, garnering over 10,000 likes since being posted. Many commentators were inspired by her message of support and positivity, and sent her love from all over the world:
Others shared their own, similar stories:
Way to go Melissa, for standing up to these vicious trolls who have nothing better to do. As she says, love shouldn’t be defined by your weight, gender or ethnicity. Live and let live. Oh, and it seems as though Melissa and Johnathan are doing just fine, thank you very much: