Why I Luv Being a Gurl...

I remember like it was yesterday. In 2012, I was sitting in my room when editorial creativity came face-to-face with my luv for being gurl. Considering what I luved about being a gurl and not wanting to lose any words that came to me, I grabbed a scrap sheet of paper and started writing. My thoughts were going faster than my fingers. I was fighting to keep up. After writing front and back, I had penned my poem. I named it, "I Love Being a Girl". It reads as follows:

"I love being a girl
and all that it entails
the fact of the matter is that
I wear the title very well
I love dolling up in blue A-line dresses
that stop above my knees
I love silver stiletto heels
and the absolute thrill
of turning everyone of your heads

I love when my lip gloss is popping
in cotton candy pink
or butterscotch rum
I love when men break their necks to open doors
give up their seats so I can maintain my delicate stature

I love being treated like the queen that I am
not like some garden apparatus
I love being a girl to show other girls what it's all about
let them know that heels are fine
Timberlands have their day if you want to climb

I love getting manicures and pedicures at the same time
pampering is what makes a girl a dime
I love walking into a room just as cool as I please
and have folks reciting Maya Angelou's "Phenomenal Woman"
and have folks falling down on their knees

I love slipping on slacks in which I flex my curves
size 2 thank you
and after two babies that's crazy but true
being a girl allows me to rock it like I do

I love being a girl
because femininity takes me places
expands my spaces
I'm not trapped in a box with a limited view
I can see all the signs and wonders
I get it in, oh yes I do

I love being a girl
I can't say it enough times
now embrace your girlie girl
repeat my rhyme
but this time
consider that the poem is about you

I just love... being a girl
Oh yes, I do"

For anyone who knows me, they know this poem to be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth when it comes to me. I was raised by a mother who exuded class, femininity and style. My grandmother wore heels and lipstick on a regular and my grandfather kept me dressed well. He is one who introduced me to pumps at age 12. I was brought up to embrace and luv being a gurl.

It feels great to luv the skin that I'm in; to be able to rock dresses, heels and lip gloss. What I love even more is the power that I possess to positively influence the younger generation of gurls. They watch me in the capacity of teacher, mentor, neighbor, community activist, mom, etc., and honor as well as compliment how I carry myself.

My goal is for this blog to serve as a vehicle to celebrate other gurls who luv and embrace who they are for what they are. I'll be sharing quotes, interviews, videos and photos throughout this movement. So, come back again and again- and again!

Follow the movement on Facebook as well as Instagram and Twitter. Just type #iluvbeingagurl and you'll find us!