I’m a 6ft 2in female – dating is tricky, I’ve been told I look like a “man in heels” and should be an NFL linebacker
A 6’1″ woman has complained that her height makes it almost ‘impossible’ to date her, but insists you can be both tall and feminine.
Marie Temara, 28, has been taller than most women her entire life and has faced a number of struggles because of her height.
12
12
One thing that has proven to be a particular struggle has been dating, as only two percent of the population in their native Florida is taller than six feet.
“I admit it’s extremely difficult to find a man taller than me,” the Palm Beach resident said.
“Dating my size is almost impossible because it’s so limited.
“A guy I was dating said on his online dating profile that he was 1.8 meters tall, but when I met him he was only 1.7 meters tall.
“I’ve been told ‘nobody likes tall girls,’ I look like a ‘man in heels,’ I’m ‘too heavy for a girl,’ and ‘the Giants are looking for a linebacker.’
“I would never wear heels and hang around in public.
“I would do anything to appear smaller, to fit in.
“However, I’ve recently started dating smaller guys and now that I’m open to dating of any size, it’s a lot easier to date.
“But sometimes it’s still hard to find a guy who’s okay with the fact that I’m taller than him.
“I hope to change the dating stigma that ‘men have to be the bigger ones in relationships’ because size shouldn’t matter.
“I don’t mind being a foot or two taller than any other man!”
Marie weighed 12 pounds at birth and was always at least a head taller than all the other boys and girls in her school classes throughout her childhood.
Marie said: “Being the tallest in school was a challenge for me because I was often bullied for being so much taller and different than everyone else.
12
12
“Kids picked on me and called me a man or a house because I was taller and heavier than most male teachers.
“I didn’t have any friends, and other kids mocked me so much that I ate lunch alone in the toilet stall.
“Looking back, I don’t know how kids can be so cruel to someone just because they look different.”
But despite the incessant bullying, Marie has blossomed into a beacon of self-confidence.
And she’s far from alone as she’s incredibly the smallest member of her family.
12
12
Her father is 1.80 meters tall, her mother is 1.80 meters tall, her brother is 1.80 meters tall and her youngest brother is 1.80 meters tall.
As an adult, Marie still struggles through the challenges of being a taller woman and still struggles to find clothes and shoes that fit her.
She added: “Pants are never long enough and I can never find my shoe size, which is a men’s size 12.
“I have to order all my clothes and shoes individually, which can be very expensive and time-consuming.
12
12
“Also, most are made for people of average height, so everyday things can be a bit more challenging.
“Cars, airplanes, roller coasters, doors, showerheads, toilets, beds and other household appliances are almost always too small for me.”
There are also benefits that come with Marie being taller than most.
She’s good at basketball, she can reach things on higher shelves in supermarkets, and she gets compliments on her long legs.
12
12
12
She said: “I’m also now getting generally positive comments about my height and a lot of little kings are complimenting me on my long legs and calling me ‘mommy long legs’.
“[Some] saying, ‘We are all the same height when lying down’ and ‘I would climb that tree.’”
Marie, who weighs 210 pounds, added: “These days, as a plus-size model, I love my curves, am proud to be tall and try to inspire others that being tall and different is beautiful.
“I’m ultra-feminine now because I never want to be called a man again and I’m trying to change the stigma that being tall isn’t a masculine trait.
“You can be a big girl and still be feminine.
“I just hope to inspire others and show them that being big, plus size and different is beautiful and nothing to be ashamed of.
“Plus, we’re trying to change the dating stigma that little kings and big queens don’t belong together!”
12