In today’s world, sharing our personal lives on social media comes with both connection and criticism. When we post photos or stories for everyone to see, we often invite people’s opinions—both good and bad. But sometimes, the way we respond to criticism can be just as important as the life we share online.

Take Matt and Brittany Montgomery, for example. Their story has gone viral, not because it’s entirely unique, but because it shows courage, authenticity, and the power of love. And most importantly, their bold response to criticism serves as an inspiring reminder: be true to yourself, no matter what others say.

Matt and Brittany’s love story is the kind you might find in a feel-good movie. They met online in August 2020 and felt an instant connection. It didn’t take long for them to fall in love and build a life together. But one thing makes their story stand out—Matt is much slimmer, and Brittany is a plus-size woman. That physical difference has drawn plenty of judgment from strangers on the internet.

For Brittany, criticism and judgment weren’t new. She had spent most of her life feeling like an outsider. Growing up, she had a rocky relationship with her parents. They were controlling and made her feel unsupported and unprotected. Their lack of warmth left her with deep emotional scars, and she often felt like she wasn’t good enough.

Over time, these feelings began to affect how she saw herself. She struggled with self-esteem and body image. Being plus-size in a society that often glorifies thinness brought its own challenges. Some men only seemed to be interested in her curves for shallow reasons. Others told her flat out that she needed to lose weight if she wanted to stay in a relationship. It was exhausting and painful. After a string of disappointing dating experiences, Brittany wondered if she’d ever find real love.

But life had other plans.

When Brittany met Matt, she was cautious. “I was hesitant at first,” she admitted. “In my past relationships, guys have told me they would leave if I didn’t start dieting or working out. It crushed my confidence.” But Matt was different. He didn’t see her size as something that needed fixing. Instead, he loved her exactly as she was.

Their connection was undeniable. By January 30, 2022, Matt got down on one knee and proposed. They began planning a life together, focusing on their future as a team. However, not everyone was supportive.

As they shared their relationship on social media, the couple faced harsh criticism from online trolls. People left comments questioning their love and making cruel jokes about their differences in size. Some even suggested Matt wasn’t “man enough” to be with Brittany. Others stared when they walked together in public.

But instead of letting the negativity break them, Matt and Brittany used it to grow stronger. “No matter how many people don’t get it or judge us, we just love each other,” Matt said. For him, Brittany was his soulmate. He hadn’t felt this kind of deep connection before, even with women who were closer to his size. What mattered was how she made him feel loved, seen, and understood.

Matt makes it clear every day just how much he loves Brittany. He tells her things like, “You are worthy. You deserve infinite love every single day.” Their bond is powerful and genuine, and they don’t shy away from showing it.

One of their boldest moves was using social media to challenge negative comments. Matt posted a photo of the two of them together and included some of the cruel remarks they had received. But instead of letting the negativity define them, he turned it into a celebration of their love. Their post sent a clear message: love is about connection, not appearance.

Brittany and Matt hope their story helps normalize relationships between people of different sizes. “I wish mixed-weight relationships were more common and accepted as normal,” Brittany shared. They are determined to show that love doesn’t come in one shape or size.

Their story continues to inspire. Just recently, they announced they are expecting their second child, a baby girl named Lakelyn, due in September 2023. They are thrilled about expanding their family and looking forward to the new adventure ahead.

The Montgomerys’ journey is proof that love isn’t about fitting into someone else’s idea of perfection. It’s about finding someone who makes you feel accepted, valued, and cherished—just as you are.

Their story reminds us all that true love doesn’t follow rules or fit into neat boxes. It’s unpredictable, beautiful, and real. And most importantly, it encourages us to embrace others with kindness and love, regardless of how different they might seem.

At the end of the day, we all deserve to be loved for who we are, not how we look.