A Tan You Can Be Proud Of

In high school, my best friend always returned super tanned after the summer holidays. She believed so much in the look, she’d use tanning beds in the fall if she thought her skin wasn’t crispy enough.

I also felt a good tan made people look healthier, even prettier. Me being white as a sheet, I was also a little jealous of how easily her skin soaked up the sun. But I never quite got the obsession. She was wearing her tan like a status symbol, and that turned it into a negative at times. She would make fun of less tanned folks, me included, and I doubt the artificial tanning methods did her health any favors.

I always joke my body only knows two stages of tanning: ciabatta and lobster. Why get a nice gold brown going when you can go straight from white to red?

It’s October now. This morning, I sat down to do my stretches. I noticed my skin was noticeably darker just above my ankles. My legs and arms had, somehow, acquired a tan! Since I never go out of my way to get one, there could only be one explanation: I spent more time outside this year. I had ventured, worked, and walked in the sun. As a result, my skin naturally grew a few shades darker.

I felt happy when I realized this. It was proof of a good behavior I hadn’t even consciously practiced. Yet, the result was still worth celebrating.

Everything comes in multiple shades. There’s a tan you should reconsider and a tan you can be proud of. Doubt your ego when it’s the loudest and pat it on the back where you don’t usually shine—and I don’t just mean your skin.