1.
The appointment where your orthodontist told you it was time for you to get braces.
2.
That first time you realized tomato-based sauces stained clear bands.
3.
That moment when there's static on the radio and everyone looked at you.
4.
The one time you open-mouth smiled and someone alerted you to stuck food.
5.
All of the other times you close-mouth smiled for real life situations...especially in pictures.
6.
That one time where you tried to smile again, but your upper lip curled and got caught on your braces.
7.
That period that you got too creative with color.
8.
That exchange where someone with perfect teeth called you "metal mouth."
9.
The humiliation of having had to put wax on your teeth because your mouth was being ripped apart and then not being able to get the wax off.
10.
Having to say goodbye to apples, dark soda, straws, gum, hard candy, and all other enjoyable food for at least a year.
11.
That time you had braces in college.
12.
That night someone almost kissed you until they realized you had BRACES.
13.
The day you went to get your braces removed and your orthodontist told you you'd have to wear a retainer forever.
14.
That high school reunion when you realized everyone still remembered you as "the person with braces."
15.
The time you smiled with confidence and realized braces were totes worth it.
