Why Victoria’s Secret Models Make Me Jealous (It’s Not the Obvious Reason)

The other night millions of people watched gorgeous, nearly flawless women flaunt their mostly naked bodies down a runway on network television. My house did not tune in to the show, nor will we do so in the future. Believe it or not, my reasoning has nothing to do with feminist indignation at the objectification of women, although in this case it’s not a bad argument. It also has nothing to do with seeing those women and feeling bad about myself as a result. Sure, there are things about my body that I’d like to change, but I understand that if we were to compare women to wealth distribution, the VS models are the 1 percent. (Where are the protests and demands for them to share their wealth??)

No, I am not jealous of the bodies of Victoria’s Secret models. In fact, I’m not jealous of anything. Instead I’m jealous for something, in the sense that I want to closely guard it. The word jealous isn’t used in those terms very often, but it’s the definition I mean.

What am I jealous for? It might sound odd, but I’m jealous for my husband’s eyes. For the images that daily bombard us and try to imprint themselves on our brains.Now I understand that I am not responsible for what my husband sees. However, I can certainly help him, as he has the same goal that I do. I know the ‘Look, but don’t touch’ philosophy is alive and well, but I don’t subscribe to it, and thankfully neither does my husband. I am thankful that I am married to a man who lives with integrity. Who holds our marriage vows sacred. Who turns away when a scantily clad woman comes into view. Who guards his eyes and mind so that when we are with each other I can rest assured that it is us alone.

So I’m okay with the fact that I’ll never have a model’s body. Why? Because of the simple yet profound fact that my husband loves me and has purposed in his heart and mind to only have eyes for me. If turning the TV off will help him in that endeavor, it’s an easy decision to make.

Lauren Cormier

About Lauren Cormier

Lauren is a 30-something stay at home mom who doesn't have it all together and she's pretty sure you don't either. She hopes that by sharing her real life (not the glossy made-up version) she can encourage you to drop the act and get real. Lauren lives in Hermon with her husband and their three children. She also blogs at www.ohhonestly.net