I'm incredibly happy that I found this group!
I stopped shaving when I was in a senior in high school, and I haven't looked back since (I'm a sophomore in college). It's been so difficult to find support, especially among my friends who just find it plain gross.I stopped shaving because I had had enough; I was fed up with feeling ugly, even though I was doing everything a pretty woman "should" do. I decided to see what would happen if I went looking for my own definition of beautiful.
It was so hard at first, because I'm a horribly shy person, and to have people stare at me in disgust and shock over a little hair on my body was crushing to me at the time. I was luckily in a place to want to fight back, to want to find a place where I didn't rely on other people's reactions to find myself beautiful.
After awhile, I found that I loved how I looked unshaven. I truly find it feminine and gorgeous! Not to mention, no more messy razor bumps and rashes! :)
While I didn't find support right away, about a year and half after my discovery, I met my now boyfriend. I was terrified that he would find me gross, and would ask me to shave. (He is also my first boyfriend!) After about a month of dating, he confessed to me that he what he really loves is when a girl doesn't shave. (this was long before he knew I was au natural) I love that I have a strong support, and that he finds me just beautiful as my natural self; I didn't have to feel so alone in my adventure anymore.
I'm very glad this group exists, and although I have a supportive boy, it's so wonderful knowing there are other girls out there who are happy and hairy! :)