This morning, I go to the orthodontist and get braces. I'm excited and terrified too! Because after I get the braces, I have to get 5 teeth pulled. I don't look forward to that at all! But, it must be done, and I'm finally at a point in my life where I can afford it — and I'm going to do it.

My family couldn't afford braces when I was growing up. And then I couldn't afford them when I was a young adult. There are so many other things you need, right? My husband and I didn't have the money and no way could I justify taking out a loan or anything to get it done. So I put it off until finally, this year, I said to myself, “Hey, you can do this now. Go find out what you have to do.”

And I did. It's not as expensive as I thought it might be, though it's not cheap either, but I'm committing to this path. I've perfected the art of the closed-mouth smile for my photos. But I cannot *wait* to have a smile I can show the world. I'm so excited about it! It will take 22 months, but that's okay. By the end of that time, you won't be able to make me do a closed-mouth smile. 😉

I guess I'm sharing this with y'all for two reasons. First, as my readers, you've made this possible for me. You've bought my books and the money I've earned is helping me do this. And second, I want you to know that it's never too late to do things you want to do. Yeah, it's going to be a bummer to be an adult with braces. But it'll be over in two years and I'll have a smile I'm proud of instead of hiding my crowded and crooked teeth behind a closed-mouth smile.

It's a big step, and I know there will be some pain (and maybe some temporary regret) but I am seriously SO excited about this. The result will be worth it in the end. I can't wait! No more hiding my smile or being the only person in the photo with my mouth closed. 🙂 Well, okay, I'll still do that for a while since I'll be wearing braces, heh. I don't suppose wearing braces will be easy to begin with. Maybe I should apologize in advance to the groups I'm giving speeches to in September….