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October 22, 2002
Natalia's Diary

This month, one of the Girlstart interns, Natalia, is writing about her experiences with her braces. She has been a braceface since high school, and should get her braces off sometime in the near future.

Dear bracefaces,

I got these things when I was a junior in high school and I am now a junior in college. When I first got them I was actually excited, my face would be improved. I could not stop smiling, but as time goes by I am starting to wonder if they will ever come off. Not because I find myself not aesthetically pleasing, even though I did have to redo my driver's license one too many times, but because of the everyday hassle. I don't follow all the rules for having braces, and sometimes I do chew gum that is NOT sugar free (but don't tell my dentist)!!!

My braces have accompanied me through some pretty big highlights in my life… proms, dance shows, parties, classrooms, etc. and I am sure that when they come off I won't have wanted it any other way. I would never say that my braces have made me in anyway uneasy or insecure, well there was that one time when I dated a guy with braces…(I am sure you have heard all about those horror stories, not true).

I hope whoever reads this is encouraged to feel good about who they are even though they have to wear braces. Just remember that in the end you'll have great teeth, and you can share your braceface memories with others!