Celine writes:
In the year of 2011, so many things changed in my life and I’m so thankful. August 6, 2011, I married the man of my prayers and dreams, and in July, I celebrated my one-year anniversary of transitioning.
I’m so thankful for being with a man that loves all of me, including my hair while transitioning! LOL. I married a great man and he made me become a great woman. He makes me believe in me! I was a confident woman when I met him, that is what he fell in love with, but that was the outer exterior, my core was still soft.
Orville, my husband, is truly a blessing in my life and supports me in all that I do. He is extra supportive of my business, I am a freelance makeup artist, and of my decision to transition and go natural.
He is my inspiration and my motivation to do better in my life to be the best wife and mother (one day) of our future children. He makes me proud to be called Mrs. Martin, his wife, and to call him my husband. He is the most understanding, generous and loving man I have ever met. I thank God for answering my prayer of having a God fearing, prayerful, good man/husband everyday. I am thankful for him supporting me, loving me and teaching me how to love me.
August 6, 2011 was the day my life changed. I could not be more thankful for him.
I’m also thankful for the CN community because my family pressured me to get a perm for my wedding, but I was determined to be a natural bride. I thought of the big chop, but was talked out of it because of the wedding. Plus, I didn’t want to relax my hair for one day, especially after transitioning for one year!
I turned to the Curly Nikki community for all advice and loved hearing motivational stories and hair experiences. The best part about the CN community is that it’s so many people, so many experiences, advice, and hair textures. It wasn’t one woman talking about how easy it is to double-strand twist her “not even close to” kinky hair. I loved how people explained how they purchased “well known and popular” products and it didn’t work for them. I felt like I had someone on my side.
For my wedding I did chose to go with the Keratin treatment and got extensions. My wedding experience taught me to see how people truly view you.
“Girl are you going to lose any weight,” “What are you going to do with ‘that’ hair,” “So you’re really not getting a perm on your wedding day? What about your pictures?”
During my natural process, I also got braces. So, my confidence was super low. But my wonderful husband told me I was beautiful everyday and night and that he loved me no matter what hairstyle I had.
So I am going for my big chop this week and hope to come back and talk about that experience soon.
Good luck on your big chop! You can come to "cotton and curls a natural hair journey" and like us on facebook. Its not an alternative to curly nikki cause she is "da bomb" but something else for you to seek "inspiration" from.
Thanks sisters I appreciate your comments!! Sister "Anonymous" i did do my research on the Kertain treatments and I used a gentile one on my hair. Its all grown out now surprisingly!
to Sister luvmylocs i did not do my own makeup on my wedding day. I was an emotional mess I was blessed by my friend Unique London she is the lead makeup artist of BET and has done the makeup for 106 and Park for 10 years. She is a so amazing!!! I would not advise doing your own makeup for your day. Get a professional and get pampered but if money is low, get your brushes lol!!
She actually looks BETTER without the makeup! That's a true testament to her natural beauty.
Congrats on find a god fearing man that loves you flaws and all.
Sometimes people's opinions can so negative and shallow when it comes to natural hair. Great job on preserving through it all and continuing your journey.
Wishing you and your husband a long and prosperous union.
Congratulations on your happiness!! I dont mean to take away from that, but you mentioned a keratin treatment in your article and from what I have read these treatments under many different names can be dangerous to your health. I hope that the one you used was not and was well researched, but from what I understand most of these companies are being sued and under investigation for failing to disclose the formaldehyde (and similar) in their products.
Anyway, fyi and again beautiful photos!
nice pictures. you look very pretty
You are beautiful.
You made a gorgeous bride, sounds like your husband knows you're a catch. Good luck with the BC!
Your wedding pictures are beautiful 🙂
Great story….GORGEOUS BRIDE!!! Go 'head on Sista!!!! : )
wow, awesome! love your story and the powerful words you use to describe your relationship with your husband. wishing you many years of happiness!!
btw, you wedding day makeup is super nice! as a makeup artist, did you do your own makeup that day or did you opt to have someone else do it?
Good luck with your BC…I know you'll be simply GORG!!
You look beautiful girl and waiting on God to send a husband to compliment you…makes it all the better. Waiting on the BC pics!
Girl….I done got teary-eyed! Beautiful story! Beautiful Sistah!
Sistah, You are beautiful and that smile you have just brightens up any room 🙂