Accepting your natural hair

Accepting your nature texture is a topic of much discussion among naturals. In my journey, I learned that I am my toughest critic. Now, I was not immune to comments regarding whether my hair was properly moisturized or inquires as to what I planned to do with my hair. However, those voices were not louder than my inner voice. My inner voice said that hours at the salon was a waste of time and money. I want to determine when I swim or workout. In the heat and humidity of the Caribbean, my hair was frizzy more than I preferred.

At the end of the day, I have to walk around with this head of hair. I had a lot of support from my hubby and family. Actually, one of my sisters and her daughter are both natural. She is adamantly opposed to relaxing my niece's hair.  I am proud that she came to this conclusion. It is a choice that we all make and make for others too young to know the consequences of perm. I must admit that I did struggle at the beginning and middle of my transition. Here is a picture of me during my transition:

It was a process to find products that would work with two textures because I decided to be a long-term transitioner.  I had good days and bad days. It took me quite a bit of time to really accept the hair as it grows out of my head. I love my hair now and know how to care for it. I am certainly not the only person struggling with acceptance. Recently I read a disturbing post on www.curlynikki.com where a natural diva discussed her husband's suggestion that they separate because he didn't like her nappy hairstyles. They were happily married and she was pregnant with their second child. I was a little disappointed for her. Ultimately, they did not divorce and she remained natural. In a subsequent post she defended her marriage. This was even sadder than the first post. A link to the first post is attached here.

Curly Nikki | Natural Hair Styles and Curly Hair Care: "We will not lose our love, our marriage, OVER HAI...: Autumn writes: I don’t even know what to call this. But it happened – FOR REAL. Background: I’m married – 5+ years – to a wonderful hus...

 Now, I am not walking in her shoes and don't want to be. What you you do if someone wanted to leave you because of your texture?  Would you change your look or tell them to hit the road?