I decided to go natural on a complete whim (which is how I make most of my important decisions lol 
). I was browsing through random photos online one night and came across a photo of Corinne Bailey Rae’s hair http://www.exposay.com/corinne-bailey-rae-q-awards-2009—arrivals/p/33916/12/
It was huge and curly and I thought it was just the prettiest thing! I’ve always had a thing for curls so that night, after having a perm since the wee age of 4, I decided to start my transition. This was in January 2009 and my last relaxer was in December 2008. I scoured websites finally finding Curlinikki.com and I was instantly addicted. I was in college though so I couldn’t buy everything I wanted so I just used Cantu’s shea butter and a spray bottle of water lol. I was never good at doing my own hair even when I was relaxed, so while I tried a few braid outs, I mainly stuck to a pony tail since my hair was shoulder length anyway.
Well things were going pretty good until I came home that summer. My mom instantly disapproved saying my hair was nappy and it looked awful, etc. My sisters would laugh at me when I tried to explain what I was doing. My family was stuck on the idea that only straight hair was beautiful and unless you had 3a-3b curls, you needed a relaxer 
So I had to endure in this environment and I admit I’m not the strongest when it comes to sticking with my decisions so I finally got a relaxer in July 2010 right before I went back to school. Getting the relaxer was a terrible experience though. I made my appt with my normal stylist but when she tried to part my hair the comb couldn’t get through! My hair was so matted up and tangled that she sent me home to work through it and I had to come back 
By this time I was so discouraged I just had to sit in my car and cry. But I went home and gingerly got through the knots and tangles and went back to the salon a few days later. The stylist had to use 3 tubs of relaxer! lol I had about 4 inches of new growth, and it cost a pretty penny but I admit when it was all over my hair was stunningly pretty. It was BSL (longest its ever been) and blowing in the wind. I really liked it and went to school and got another perm 6 weeks later. But after that, the curly bug got to me again and I decided “what the heck might as well try again”, so I did! lol 
It’s been about 3 months now and things are going pretty well. I know a lot more from my past experience and am prepared to combat the struggles. I came home for winter break and my mom was on the same tune but this time I don’t care. It’s my hair, I love what’s growing out of it, nappy or not.