He loved her even though she was fat

When I was a teenager I had a friend. She was about 5 foot 11 and quite overweight. She had gorgeous thick brown hair and sparkly brown eyes. She was kind and gregarious. And I liked her a lot.

One winter she invited me to her cottage. We drove ourselves there because we must have been 17 or 18, maybe 16. It was sweet first independence from parents and the emotional manipulation of my home. Her cottage was nestled next to a lake. It was the dead of winter in Canada, pure pure white glistening snow. Deathly quiet. And cold.

I remember when we got there on a Friday afternoon, it was already getting dark but the fire was lit and the place was warm and inviting. When we walked in, my friend introduced me to her father, who got up walked to us at the door and gave her a warm hug. He seemed very happy to see her and his eyes twinkled.

I remember being shocked. But this was an abomination! How could this man love her!!! She had committed the same sin I had - being fat. I was incredulous. She was not only fat but also very tall. Another sin. Unsightly for a girl.

I continued to be amazed throughout the entire weekend and even through my later teenage years. Her father seemed to genuinely be interested in her life, thoughts and feelings and wanted to spend time with us but also gave us space. He seemed to accept her and encourage her. He loved her even though she was fat.

I had never seen such a thing in my life.