Everything Gone Wrong
It would have been something out of a fairy-tale storybook ending.
However, mere seconds after she posted the happy news, the comments that came flooding in and turned the day into something far more traumatic. If they only knew that a few years later, she would get the last laugh. She would change everything.
Romantic At Heart
Darya of Moscow, Russia was a sucker for a good romance story.
And, more than anything she wanted to have her own, real-life experience of being swept off her feet by someone who would love her to the moon and back. There was just one problem.
Hard To Endure
People could be so cruel, especially when it came to appearances that didn’t fit into what others considered “pretty.”
Darya had not been blessed in that department. She did her best to ignore the stares and comments, but having it happen on a daily basis took a major toll on her self esteem.
Amazing Man
So, when she met Ivan and her heart beat out of her chest, her swooning soul hoped he could see beyond her outer shell.
He was kind, accomplished, and everything she looked for in a man. The day he returned her love, she burst into happy tears. It was the best day of her life. Sadly, it wouldn’t last forever.
Popping The Question
Their whirlwind romance was just like a chapter from one of her novels – right down to the river-side proposal.
They didn’t have a lot of money, but she scrimped and saved for a dream wedding dress. Even the challenge of finding one that fit didn’t bring her spirits down.
Was So Happy
When the big day came, she proudly donned her mother’s pearls and put on another layer of soft pink lipstick.
She felt like a queen. It was the most beautiful she had ever felt in her entire life. And my goodness did Ivan look handsome in his uniform! Her joy was so overflowing she had to share the news with everyone. This would end up a big mistake.
Unwanted Comments
Fine, whatever, they weren’t a pretty couple.
But shouldn’t the happiness of their day trump anything else? It turned out ... no. The comments came pouring in. There was a small peppering of heart-felt congratulations, but most of them were just plain cruel.
Now Heartbroken
Darya was dubbed “The Ugliest Bride in The World.”
The title was like the entire populace had shoved a massive dagger into her heart. Her husband promised over and over that he loved her, and she was beautiful to him. Nothing else mattered. Still, the international scorn hurt right down to her soul.
Unending Cruelness
Even when they had their first child, the new comments were just as horrible.
“He’ll probably be as ugly as his parents.” Who would say that about a baby?! Years passed and the unending assault took a toll – to the point where Ivan had to step in with an unbelievable plan.
Thinking About Change
Darya had been on the fence about altering her look.
She warned her husband that it didn’t matter how she changed, people would still be horrible. Ivan, however, wasn’t about to give up on his wife’s feelings. His words were a bit tricky, but they ended up having a profound effect.
Only For You
“If you want to change, do it for YOU. Not for anyone else. If you want to transform, I will help you every step of the way. I will love you no matter what. I want you to be happy. Everyone else can go to hell.”
They were words she had heard before, but not from him.
Loving Motivation
It was like a line out of her romance stories – the couple facing adversity together and showing everyone they couldn’t break them.
Thus began her long “battle” towards total transformation - strict diets, surgeries, thousands of hours in the gym, hair grafts, teethe treatments and so much more. The results were unbelievable!
One Glimpse
It was only one photo, but every single person who saw the comparison had to do a double take.
She was unrecognizable. But the story doesn’t end there. Darya had only posted a few pictures of her wedding day, but then stopped once the hatred piled up. Everyone now screamed for more photos of the “new her.”
Tone Changed
They said she was inspirational.
They said she was beautiful. But what did Ivan and Darya have to say back? It was simple – he was sick and tired of people asking if they still loved each other. What a ridiculous question. He had loved her from the start because she was an amazing woman. Darya got in the final word.
Shame On You
“I didn’t do it for any of you. I did it because I wanted to. I don’t care if you find me inspirational. If you weren’t with me from the start when I was saying that only love mattered, there’s no way I’m going to be with you now. Shame on all of you.”
Strong words, but many agreed she had completely earned the right to say them.