Woman Inspires Millions By Being Her True, Authentic Self In Engagement Photos

By  Amanda Froelich Truth Theory

So much of what our society focuses on has to do with external beauty. It is because of this that some people will go to great lengths to hide their “flaws.” For a time, Makenzee Meaux was such a person.

The bride-to-be suffers from alopecia, an autoimmune disease that causes hair to fall out in small, random patches. To save herself from embarrassment, Meaux has worn a wig for years. But now, she’s embracing her condition. In the process, she has inspired millions of people.  “Hair is not what makes you beautiful,” she says.

In a beautiful engagement photoshoot with her fiancé Bryan Ballard, Meaux can be seen with long, flowing hair. But halfway through the shoot, she whisks off her wig. The resulting photos show her natural beauty — alopecia and all.

The 21-year-old was first diagnosed with alopecia at the age of eight. She explained, “It is a disease where all of your hair follicles suddenly stop growing and the doctors can not figure out why or what will bring it back. They call it the mystery disease. Nothing else is wrong with the body other than hair will not grow, which – as you can imagine for a young girl – is a huge confidence killer.

“I experienced lots of bullying in the early years and along the way I lost all hope that I could ever feel beautiful again,” Meaux added.

Because she was embarrassed about the condition, she refrained from telling her soon-to-be hubby about alopecia until two-and-a-half months into their relationship. Fortunately, he supported her from the start. Five-and-a-half years later, they are now engaged.

“He has helped me be brave and realize that hair is not what makes you beautiful and is not what makes people love you, it is truly all about what’s on the inside,” Meaux wrote on Facebook. “He has shown me that the people who love you do not care whether or not you have hair and the ones who do are not worth your time or your love. So this is me, the true me.”

The Frost Collective captured the photos which will make you catch your breath. Dozens of people have since reached out to Meaux to express their gratitude over her courage. TODAY reports that Meaux even met up with a 3-year-old girl in her city because she was inspired by the college student’s photos. “I never expected it to grow this large,” Meaux said. “It’s been amazing.”

Images Credit: Facebook