I was a very messy little kid. I was always walking around with my curly hair in knots, stains on my pants, and once in second grade it was the middle of the day before I’d noticed that I had worn my white t-shirt with watermelons on it, stains and all, the day before. Even for an 8-year-old, I was not very put together.

I remember always being jealous of my older sister because she had pin straight hair and all she had to do was brush it a little bit to make it nice and neat and presentable. She was Marcia Brady and I was Jan.

There were periods of time in middle school where I would straighten my hair every single day, and if I woke up late or didn’t get the chance to one day, I’d throw my tresses in a ponytail or a bun because I couldn’t let it be seen like that. And of course, there was no other way to maintain it at the time to please my parents who begged me to brush it. If I did brush it, it poofed out and I looked like a marshmallow. If I didn’t, it was messy and it looked like I didn’t try.

But now, I’m 18 years old and I honestly don’t remember the last time I straightened my hair. Thanks to beautiful, care-free women like Sarah Jessica Parker, Solange, Jenny Slate and many other celebrities of all races and eras who proudly rock their curly hair, I am no longer afraid of looking un-put-together or sloppy, because my hair is my favorite accessory. It is the finishing touch on all my outfits, especially when I’m in grassy Tennessee and I can’t wear pumps or heeled boots for fear of sinking into the ground. When I walk into any room sporting my long, wild mane and a sundress I can confidently say that I turn heads, and so does any curly-haired beauty.

My hair is my favorite thing about the way I look and I can proudly say I wouldn't change a thing about it.