The day is finally here! I can’t believe how quickly the time has passed since the day that I fully embraced my natural hair on July 22, 2009. I still remember like it was yesterday when I looked into the mirror after my big chop and was in shock of the fact of that it was my first time seeing my natural hair since I was 6!
I must admit, it has been quite an interesting journey thus far. During this time, I’ve enjoyed making many connections with my fellow naturalistas who have been such a great source of encouragement and advice along the way. It’s also been such a blessing for me to see the growth of this site and my YouTube (Nikkimae2003) channel. I am so humbled when I receive messages saying that a particular post or video has been a source of inspiration or of great help to someone out there. You all are definitely the reason why I continue sharing my journey : )
Interacting with my natural family offline has been wonderful as well! I’ve had the pleasure of meeting several of my fellow vloggers and bloggers in the natural hair community in person, and I always find it funny that it feels like we already know each other because of how much we share online lol. This year was especially exciting because I also had the opportunity to meet many of my readers/viewers when I attended the World Natural Hair Show in Atlanta a couple months ago. I definitely had a blast interacting with the lovely naturalistas there, as well as the owners of some of my favorite companies like Titi and Miko from Miss Jessie’s, as well as Jane Carter from Jane Carter Solution. Oh, I definitely can’t leave out the times where I’ve met some of you all in unexpected places like Whole Foods Market, the mall, and on the street lol. I really do mean it when I say that I enjoy immensely, meeting the people that actually listen and read what I put out there : )
My journey became even more exciting when I was given the opportunity to become a vlogger for NaturallyCurly.com! They have a wonderful site full of great information and it has been such a pleasure interacting with the NC team. It was such a privilege and honor for me to attend the NaturallyCurly.com & Miss Jessies’ Natural Hair celebration event a couple months ago as a hair model for the Miss Jessie’s team! That was a fun-filled day I will never forget.
I am also so very grateful to the countless companies who have allowed me to review their products both on this site and my YouTube channel. That definitely has aided in my product “junkyism” lol, but it has allowed me to see and share the growing variety of products that are being created specifically to cater to us naturalistas.
People are waking up to the fact that going natural is NOT a fad and that’s a wonderful thing! I’m really touched by the many messages I’ve received from ladies sharing how they’ve grown to love and appreciate themselves even more by embracing their hair as it naturally grows out of their head : )
I know the journey to going natural and even being natural is not always peachy, but trust that as long as people are still reading and watching, it will certainly be my pleasure to continue to share both the ups and downs of my own journey in hopes that it will help someone else!
Con mucho amor!
*Mae*
MY BIG CHOP
MY ONE YEAR NATURAL HAIR JOURNEY
Sasha-Shae 
. There is no much growth and I struggle with split ends. My hair is always dry…I just don't know what to do anymore:(.
lonna 
Look how much it's grown in one year!! Making moves out there! Congrats and I hope the rest of the journey is as fabulous as this year was.
~Shae
You've had wonderful growth for a year! Congrats!
Wauuw your hair is so beautifull!
It looks fantastic to u with natural hair.
And your hair have grown so much, on 1 year!
How many inches has it grown since you did the big chop?
I love the video!! I BC in June of this year! And the night before I was scheduled to do it I prayed that the Lord lead me in the right direction I was soooo nervous! I stayed up all night looking at pictures of women with natural hair and finally I found your site! It was so informative and motivational that, I was like THATs IT IM DOING IT!! Thank you.. you were my little angel!! Your hair looks lovely!
MUCH LOVE~
Sagirah-Nailah!!
Congratulations! Your hair has grown marvellously! My journey has just begun and I'm inspired to go on! Thank you for this year of documentation. You are a beautiful woman & soul!
such healthy beautiful growth in this year! It's been an eventful one, congrats on your nappyversary
http://socialitedreams.wordpress.com/
CONGRATULATIONS MAE!
Your journey has inspired women all over the globe.
We love your videos and lovely styles.
Muah!!
http://kinkycurlycoilyme.blogspot.com
You've been such an inspiration! I'm about 8 months after you as a natural and I was sooooo blessed to find your channel when I did. You BC vid made me say . . . of course I can do a BC and love it (and I did)! Continue to inspire and do great things. I see the God in you.
LaDonna Smith
Congratulations you are definitely an inspiration and you were actually the deciding factor in me deciding to do my big chop. I have loved every second of being natural and thank you so much for continually inspiring me. You are a beautiful, intelligent child of God who is definitely ordained for great things.
Much love,
Momo
Congrats on your year! I actually just decided to transition a week ago so I'm excited about starting my journey! Thanks for your words of encouragement and information! I will definitely follow you page as your journey continues!
Congratulations Mae!!! I am so happy I "met" you haha you have been an inspiration!! Love!
Congratulations!
You have had phenomenal progress and it has been wonderful watching your journey thus far…Your hair looks fantastic and you have a natural glow
OMG! Congratulations!!! I love it! You've had soo much growth! I'm excited for you!!!
Nice Video
Congrats, Natural Chica!
AWESOME!!!!!!!! I love the fact that you took all of those pictures. You have come a long way. God bless you!
WOW, Mae!!!!!!!! Look at ALLLLLL that growth!!! Congrats on your 1 year anniversary… and thanks SOOOOO much for taking the time to share so much of yourself with us!!! You have made SUCH an impact on us… and we are much better because of it!!!
¡Felicidades! Que tenga buena suerte con el pelo.
Mae! congratulations!!! I remember the start of your journey so well, mainly because we started just days apart (you first). I have been watching/following/cheering you on ever since. I am so proud of the work & example you have provided and the bar you continue to set. There are MANY blogs, but you certainly stand out and your days ahead are going to be ten times better than the ones behind. You do more than talk about hair. You represent more than just hair. And we thank you for that. Here's to our 2nd year….
Awe, congratulations!! I will be there in another year or less. Probably less. I'm 9 months into transitioning.
Thank you all so much! Your comments mean a lot to me : )
Mysskay! You were definitely there from the beginning. Thank you for being in my corner throughout this past year. You really encouraged me to keep going! Cheers to our 2nd year woohoo : )
Congrats! My one year nappyversary was June 5th! I wish I had a video like this to commemorate this important day, but I hacked my hair off in my bathroom. I hope more people who have their big chop get it styled like you did so the length isn't such a shock! Thanks for sharing! Your hair is perfection!
Congrats Mae! girl you are the bomb great pictures truly inspiring!
Congratulations and Happy 1st Anniversary! Your hair is absolutely gorgeous!
PARABENS PARA VOCE CHICA NATURAL… EU GOSTO MUITO QUE VOCE FALAR. FELIZ ANIVERSARIO!!!
Beijos
CELEBRATE GOOD TIMES COME ON… You embraced your Naturalness on my B-day so I will always remember that. Congrats again.
KUDOS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Major Congrats to you on you 1yr anniversary!!! & your commitment to the whole process is admirable!
I enjoyed seeing your journey… I cut my hair off on August 22, 2009… It's almost been a year for me… I'm sure there were things we could relate on, probably a lot too that was unique to our own journey of course… Nonetheless, just sending you love, I like your blog… and what you're doing. Bless.
Congrats on your 1yr mark!! I enjoy watching your videos and reading your post, you have helped me alot. You have even inspired me to make my own little blog about my journey as well lol so continue inspiring other naturals.:)
Look at that growth man!!! Thats cool – it keeps me going for sure!!
Hi Mae,
I've been wacthing all ur youtube videos, and I found them very informative!
I transitioned for about 5 months and then after did my BC in december 2009. Since then, I still struggle to find the right products to use!
I've been 7 months natural and my hair is just the same
. There is no much growth and I struggle with split ends. My hair is always dry…I just don't know what to do anymore:(.
The only thing that makes want to contibue this journey is wacthin ur videos and pray that one day may hair will grow…
Go Mae!!! U look great…. Very inspirational footage!
I just have one word: Beautiful