Because my family is FULL of people with loong hair- in fact all my immediate cousins had hair from mid-back to waist length. Everytime I was with them in the early years, others made me feel like i didn't belong in the family because my hair wasn't as "good" nor was it even long. In fact, I remember this one incident where me and 3 of my cousins were at this lady's house- i don't remember what reason- and she was like, 'gee, I don't know what it is with yall family- everyone just has long beautiful hair!' And then she glanced at me and she didn't say anything, but her look was like, well except you...
Another time, 3 of us were with my uncle and a friend of his came up to the car (we were in) and gushed " HEY GORGEOUS!!!" to one cousin, then "HI BEAUUUUUTIFULLL!!!!" to another, then last and least, turned to me and less enthusiastically and less genuinely, said "Hi Pretty!"
I just always felt like an ugly duckling in comparison to my cousins- it was 2 in particular that i was always around and they both had waist-length Type 2 hair. Everyone treated them differently and wanted to show them off and wanted them to visit them etc. Keep in mind this was early years, from like when we were 4 to like, 12 (the 3 of us are about the same age).
Sorry about the long story.
Point is, I just want to grow my hair out...i suppose it's kind of sad and not the greatest reason, but to feel more part of the family
. Besides, about 5 years ago (I was about 17) one of those cousins, after I mentioned a length I intended to grow my hair, told me my hair couldn't grow that long if I tried for 80 years. She figured my hair was too 'nappy'.
I'll show her!! I just started the long hair challenge in February, so I'm giving myself about 2-3 years to reach my goals...