Meet the PP Founders - Emma

When people ask me to "tell them a bit about myself" I struggle. Seriously I do. It's like I don't want to give too much away about myself for fear you may actually be my nemesis and therefore destroy me with my very own words...

So... taking a big deep breath.

My name is Emma and I'm a 46 year old married mum of 3 boys and I come from a glorious little village just outside the big smoke called Penge. I don't do much. Stay at home mum, cleaner, theatre lovey, rainbows leader, not clever enough to go to university. Still debating what I want to do when I grow up.

When I was younger I was always the "big girl" so was sent to dance at a young age to help sort out the puppy fat, however it just encouraged me to be hilariously funny to steal the limelight. That basically was how my life went. I've always been the "fat funny one". I used my comedy timing to cover my insecurities about my weight, made a joke about myself before anyone else could.
I wasn't a particularly attractive kid either... So it was all down hill really... I laughed at me before you could.  I made the fat jokes.  I'd got the "funny parts" in the plays. I'd play the fool. The fugly. The one who is always game for a laugh.

But while I'm laughing and joking on the outside and giving it all look at me...inside I'm actually shy as anything absolutely insecure and scared of your opinion of me, worried about how I'd look and if anyone would actually think I'm "pretty".

When I look back now, I realise that my weight issues and insecurity started in my 20s, within a very controlling relationship. I lost weight to please him and lost myself within the process. I recently found a picture from that time and I look so sad!

I became pregnant at 25 and discovered a new found love for these curves and bumps and feeding to grow my gorgeous bundle of boy, all the while being mocked by my partner for being fat.
When we eventually split up I emerged like a butterfly from a cocoon and, after a little while and many kissing of frogs, found my soul mate. Who loves every bump and curve and gave me two more beautiful children. I'm not saying being a mum is all I am. But with 14 years separating the youngest and the oldest they are my one thing I have accomplished in my life. That I haven't got wrong or messed up.

I have brought my amazing boys up to love someone no matter.  They have and will grow into fabulous husbands partners and hopefully fathers, and I hope will bring up their children to love unconditionally.

We are all different and that's what makes us unique. I embrace my body shape and size and don't feel embarrassed or make those "jokes" anymore. Sure I've been thinner, yes I've been heavier, but now I realise that it's just a number, like age, and I've never acted that either.
It's only recently dawned that people love me for me. Not how I look, or what size label I have in my jeans. I'm a bloody nice human being, I'll help anyone that needs it and make a damn fine chocolate cake. And if all else fails I'll sing you a song!

So there you are, that's me in a nutshell. I'm humbled by these other amazing women in PP and those that are connected to them. Who have stories to tell and who's lives have been far more interesting than mine, but it's fate that brought us all together, I believe for some reason...whether it be to conquer the world or to make people stop and think and change their attitude to themselves and others. But whatever it is I'm glad I'm doing it with them.

See....I'm my own nemesis!

Emma
Founder Member, Actress, Model & Cheesy Ball Lover