Victoria Haltom, a talented photographer in San Antonio, has taken to Facebook to share a beautiful story with her followers.
She explained that, when she first opened Victoria Caroline Photography, a woman asked her if she could help her create a sexy boudoir photography album for her husband.
Victoria explained: “She was a curvy, beautiful size 18. I thought she looked like a goddess, but as most women do, she had a request.
“She came to me, looked me straight in the eyes, and said ‘I want you to photoshop all of my cellulite, all of my angry red stretch marks, ALL of my fat, and all of my wrinkles....just make it go away. I want to feel gorgeous just ONCE.’”
Victoria did as she was asked, turning the woman into a ‘dream’… but, shortly after Christmas, the photographer received a ‘very REAL email’ from the woman’s husband.
His message can be read in full below:
*Hi Victoria, I am (blank)'s husband, ********. *
*I am writing to you because I recently received an album containing images you took of my wife. I don't want you to think that I am in any way upset with you... but I have some food for thought that I would like to pass on to you. *
*I have been with my wife since we were 18 years old, and we have two beautiful children together. We have had many ups and downs over the years, and I think... well, actually I KNOW that my wife did these pictures for me to "spice things up". *
*She sometimes complains that I must not find her attractive, that she wouldn't blame me if I ever found someone younger. *
When I opened the album that she gave to me, my heart sank. These pictures - while they are beautiful and you are clearly a very talented photographer - they are not my wife.
*You made every one of her "flaws" disappear, and while I'm sure this is exactly what she asked you to do, it took away everything that makes up our life. *
*You made every one of her "flaws" disappear, and while I'm sure this is exactly what she asked you to do, it took away everything that makes up our life. *
*When you took away her stretch marks, you took away the documentation of my children. *
*When you took away her wrinkles, you took away over two decades of our laughter, and our worries. *
*When you took away her cellulite, you took away her love of baking and all the goodies we have eaten over the years. *
*I am not telling you all of this to make you feel horrible, you're just doing your job and I get that. *
*I am actually writing you to thank you. *
*Seeing these images made me realise that I honestly do not tell my wife enough how much I LOVE her and adore her just as she is. *
*She hears it so seldom, that she actually thought these photoshopped images are what I wanted and needed her to look like. *
*I have to do better, and for the rest of my days I am going to celebrate her in all her imperfectness. *
Thanks for the reminder.
Tonight I want to tell you ladies about a time I messed up really badly. It was back when I first started boudoir, and... > >
Posted by [Victoria Caroline Boudoir](https://www.facebook.com/pages/Victoria-Caroline-Boudoir/224229764440459) on [Monday, October 12, 2015](https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=405777542952346&id=224229764440459&substory_index=0)
The photographer said the message made her cry "like a baby" for six months whenever she would read it.
"I encourage you to think twice about how much 'altering' we do," she said.
"Our loved ones cherish and adore us just as we are… I encourage you to embrace YOU just as you are.”
She added powerfully: “YOU ARE SO DAMN BEAUTIFUL!!!!"
Were you moved by this husband’s very real and honest message?
Let us know via Facebook or Twitter (@CloserOnline) now.