So growing up I never felt attractive. From the age 12-17 I felt ugly honestly. No one told me I was beautiful . not my mom(adoptive mom) and not my dad. No one ever paid me any mind . I was the black sheep of my family basically. I was criticized about my skin tone and teeth constantly. I remember days my mom would have our family over and she'd call me in the living room with everyone and tell me to smile. She'd say shit like..and I quote "look at spongebob" "Don't she look like spongebob" she had no idea how that knocked my confidence down. I felt so bad. Anywho I had decent clothes and shoes but I always seen my friends with better clothes which made me feel even worse. At the age of 18 I moved out , got a job , dressed better , kept myself up how I felt I should look. Over time its like a switch happened. All of a sudden everywhere I go people stare at me. I catch stares from women and men. Strangers point out my beautiful features that i never thought twice about. I get compliments on my skin tone and the beauty of my melanin which made me love myself even more. Seriously .. its sad to say but With the help others , I realized my worth and my beauty .since I could remember, I always wanted my own family. I wanted to love my child the way that I wasn't. I'm ready to start a familY because I can show my child how to love themselves regardless. Im going to make sure they know they're beautiful inside and out so they won't have to question it. I'd never play on my child insecurities and embarrass him/her how I was embarrassed.