By Isabella Louise Anderson

When Mike and Molly came on the air a couple of years ago, I fell in love with the show and the adorable brunette, Melissa McCarthy straightaway. Her character, Molly, is a schoolteacher, who lives with her mother (Swoosie Kurtz) and sister (Katy Mixon), and is engaged to Mike (Billy Gardell).

Every Monday I’ve looked forward to watching the show because of Melissa – and her character, who is a no-nonsense, hardworking and lovable woman! I started watching the show because the previews seemed funny, and it looked like a cute love story, plus I could even get my husband (boyfriend at the time) to watch. The writing is wonderful, and I couldn’t imagine the cast being any different!

Melissa’s a very successful woman (she won and Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress!) and she’s funny (watch her on SNL). Her husband (actor, Ben Falcone) adores her, and they have two young children. Also, her cousin is Jenny McCarthy – something people can’t believe because they look nothing like. I disagree though – they are both beautiful! When she was on Anderson Cooper’s show, you can tell when you see THIS clip what a radiant and confidant woman she is, and that she doesn’t care what people think!

I’m sure many of you have already heard about or read THISarticle that was written by a veryballsy Marie Claire blogger. After reading it, along with some of the comments that followed, I was instantly in Melissa and Molly’s defense. Weight has become such an issue in this country, especially for women. No matter if one is a size 2 or a size 22, many of them don’t have any confidence in themselves because of weight issues. Ladies, doesn’t weight also make shopping trips less fun? Have you ever known what size you are, only to see that the shirt you love and want to buy tells you you’re too big? “But I just bought another shirt the same size!” Why can’t all designer clothes be the same size?! This I will never know! Ugh! As an overweight woman, Melissa’s confidence is to be commended.

I’m not a size 2 and I’m not a 22 either, but I’m working on being more in shape and living a healthy lifestyle. My goal is to live happy and healthy and not be on any side of an extreme. Melissa has inspired me to feel comfortable in my own skin, no matter what size or shape I am. I encourage you to do the same!

You rock, Melissa McCarthy!

Isabella Louise Anderson is a member of the RWA, and she is the owner of the website Chick Lit Goddess. She resides in Dallas, Texas, where she’s a housewife and mother to 12-year-old cat, Thorndike. A regular contributor at Good Humor Girl, you can learn more about Isabella here.