Beautiful You

Hi. My name is Mellie and this is my story. I hope God can use me through this. If you have any questions, my e-mail is melissamanfredi@att.net

Let's go back to when I was a kid. I was a extremely shy child who didn't talk to anyone that wasn't in my family. It's the classic story of the "weird girl" who got picked on. I was very nice and proper. I had manners and never picked on anyone at my class. I was taught that we were to be kind to our enemies. It got harder as I grew up since I wasn't too concerned with boys or trying to get them to like me. I had crushes, but I was way too shy to even talk to them. I think I just wanted to hold hands with a boy, but nothing too extreme. I did get picked on for it because I wasn't a big sex fiend. I just know God was happy with me and that's all that matters.

In high school, I was homeschooled and I gained a bit of weight. I had a few amazing friends (including Victoria!), but I was depressed. I knew God loved me, but still couldn't figure out why. I felt like a nobody. It took years after this to figure out that God made me and He doesn't make mistakes on creating us.

Fast forward to a few years ago, I joined a commune in Chicago called JPUSA. I met my now husband at the festival they put on and a few years later we got married. We joined a Christian goth band, Leper. We toured and played a lot of shows. It was sad when I would see a lot of girls wearing close to nothing. I wanted to be an example to younger girls that you can be weird and modest all at once. I pray that any of the girls who were suffering from depression in that scene, that their spirits would be lifted.

Also, I need to mention that I was a virgin before I was married. It was very important for me to save myself for my husband. It's something I believe God wants us all to do. It's not that he doesn't want us to have fun. He is protecting us. There are so many emotions rapped up in sex that he doesn't want us to get hurt. It's a union between two people who were wed before the Lord. I can go into this another time :) It honestly wasn't hard for me since I was single for all of my life until I met my husband. I knew God wanted me to be pure, so I stuck to it. I would get sad sometimes because I didn't have a boyfriend, but it became easier once I clung to God. Meeting my husband was a special thing that I didn't expect. It was all in God's timing.

Now we are out of community and live in Wicker Park (Chicago). It's a very fashion focused part of town and I continue to dress modest and be an example (at least try to).

I would love to meet and talk to anyone who is having struggles with self-esteem and loving themselves. God sees you as a princess! Like I said before, feel free to e-mail me at anytime. I have a smart phone, so I can check my mail often.

In God's Love,
Mellie