Friday night surprised me. I walked through a friend's house with her baby in my arms, filling in as a last-minute babysitter. The Brewers battled the Diamondbacks on TV, while Posey alternated between sleep and hunger.

I looked for signs of whether Posey was ready for sleep and rocked her in my arms. We neared her bed and she nestled further into my arms. The lamp provided light as I bobbed and swayed. This sweet little girl gazed at me, so trusting and secure and oh so loved. I marveled at the privilege of caring for her and wondered whether I'll rock my own baby one day.

Before I could complete the thought, I glanced up and caught my reflection in the mirror hanging on the wall.

And my immediate response stunned me.

"Beautiful. You are absolutely beautiful."

I wasn't wearing anything special, my hair down and wavy only in certain places. I hadn't taken particular care about my appearance, as infants don't take notice of such things.

But I was struck by the blueness of my eyes, the spacing of my features, and how utterly lovely I appeared. I realized anew how fearfully and wonderfully I am made.

I finally and simply believed.

For a woman that describes herself as cute, Beautiful has been a long time coming.

Each day I choose how I will view myself, independent of everyone and everything else. Friday night and today and next week, I choose to see my inherent beauty.

I will no longer lessen myself with "cute" or "girl next door." 

I am beautiful. But I am not just beautiful, I am stunning.

I haven't been able to get the image of myself in the mirror out of my mind. I don't think I want to. That moment was a gift.

How have you been surprised by beauty?