I've been a redhead since the day I was born. I've always had pale skin, freckles, and light blue eyes. But I never realized how much of an impact that would have on my life. I didn't always appreciate the way I looked, but now, I wouldn't want it any other way.

As A Kid

Most people think kids are always cute and tell their parents how adorable their children are. And when I was a young child, I knew that people often complimented my sister and I on our red hair and would ask our parents where the color came from (Mom is a blonde and Dad's hair is dark). Obviously when I was young, I didn't know how rare red hair was, and I didn't see myself as much different from anyone else. I never obsessed over my appearance and I wasn't worried about what my hair looked liked. Looking back at pictures, I know I was the girl with the crazy curly red hair. We have so many pictures of me as a kid, and my hair was almost always wild. Now that I've grown up, I love to look at old pictures of myself and appreciate just how adorable I was!

Growing Up

As I got a little older (and got more and more freckles), I started to notice that most of the people around me looked different. Blondes and brunettes with straight hair, girls with even skin, people who could get tan easily in the sun. It really didn't bother me at first. I liked being a redhead because it was different and people would tell me how pretty it was and that they wish they had it. However, as a young teenager, I started to dislike the way I looked. I wanted straight hair that wasn't completely red; I wanted skin that wasn't covered in freckles and wouldn't burn after 10 minutes in the sun. I began to straighten my hair (not very well, I might add) because I didn't know how to work with my curly hair. At one point, I wanted to change it so much that I went to the salon and got blonde highlights in my hair and had it chemically straightened. I spent about two or three years trying to change the way I looked, and even after I did, I still wasn't happy. I wasted too many years comparing myself to other girls. I don't have many good pictures of me from these years, so I'll spare you the awkward teen photos.

Once I was in high school, I had given up on straightening my hair because it never looked that good and I tried to embrace my natural color and curls, but I still would curl my hair quite often to avoid my natural hair. However, I did start to let my freckles darken in the sun thanks to the hours I was spending outside during band camp. But, I finally didn't mind being "the red haired girl" anymore. I started to like it because it was unique and it was part of who I am. Yes, I did face some teasing from my friends. And yes, sometimes the things people said about gingers still bothered me. Sometimes I didn't like being labeled as the raging, hot-headed girl (which I definitely can be), but I don't like when people say it's because if my hair- like any other person doesn't get passionate or angry about things. Being a ginger got me nicknames, some good and some bad, but it definitely started to be part of my identity.

Late high school and early college was when I really started to appreciate my appearance. Being a redhead was part of my identity and I actually liked it. I figured out how to work with my hair and make it look good. I sincerely meant it when I said "thank you" to people who complimented me. I had finally realized accepting and loving the way I looked was going to be easier than constantly trying to change and never being satisfied. I had better things to focus on than worrying about comparing myself to others.

Today

Today, I don't think I would want to be anything other than a ginger. Having red hair is so special and unique! And I have blue eyes, which is an even more rare combination. I don't mind having pale skin anymore, I can just never forget sunscreen. I have come to really appreciate and embrace the way I look. Some days I wish I hadn't gone through the phase of not liking my hair, so that maybe it would still be as bouncy and curly as it was when I was young. But I'm glad that I never fully dyed my hair because I think the color is beautiful. I love all my freckles- even on my lips, elbows and knees, and even the one on the palm of my left hand. I love that my hair is red and curly, and yes, I do love my fiery personality. My family loves me this way, my friends love me this way, but most importantly, I love myself this way.