I can’t believe it. Sometimes it feels like no time at all, while simultaneously feeling like a lifetime. My last relaxer was 4 years ago. I had my hair done for my sister’s wedding in March 2009. My little sister had just BC’d and I said, alright, I guess I’ll transition. My relaxed hair was around shoulder length. I was growing out a bob haircut and dealing with thinning caused by a terrible stylist and a rat tail comb.

Prior to that, my sis and I talked about going natural for ages. I BC’d a few years earlier but was totally lost with my natural hair. I wore a half wig for about 5 months (it wasn’t pretty) then texturized. I had no idea that a ‘texture softener’ was a relaxer. When I figured that out I just went ahead and relaxed bone straight. This next time around I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to stick with it. I transitioned starting in March 2009 and by August of that year, I was fed up with dealing with both textures. Late one night, I cut off the relaxed ends. I was still snipping away in the pic below. It took me hours because I didn’t want to lose any length, lol.

I was insecure about the length of my hair. It had never been that short, ever. Many times in my life, I was known for my hair so it was a huge adjustment… even though what I had dealt with most recently was short and damaged. It took a while to get used to. When my hair was out, I wore twists, braids, and lots of headbands. During the first two years, hid my hair under a few wigs and lots of braided extensions. By year 3, I was loving my braid outs and twist out way more than my flat ironed hair. Straight hair just looked weird on me. I couldn’t wait to wash it whenever I straightened. At year 4, I preferred my wash and goes to my stretched styles.

I can honestly say that not once since my transition ended and I was all natural, I never once thought about relaxing. I absolutely love my natural hair…more than I ever thought I would. I can’t believe this is my hair but in a way I can’t imagine it any other way. It just suits me. I feel like I wasted too much time being relaxed. I’m glad I finally got it together and grew out my natural hair. I appreciate it for all the varied styles it can do. I have my fullness and health back. One day I’ll be able to say it’s the longest my hair has ever been. I’m not quite there yet, but I know I will be.

It’s been a great 4 years getting to know my hair and figuring out everything it’s capable of. It really did pass by so quickly. I’ve struggled with accepting my growth rate but overall I couldn’t be happier with my hair today. 🙂 It can only get better from here and I can’t wait to be waist length…4″ to go. *crosses fingers for December 2013 goal date*