I have a confession to make: the first time I tried to go to the dentist to start my smile journey last fall, I left. And when I say left, I mean I physically could not make myself go through with the appointment. I had made the appointment. I had gotten myself there. I had spent days mentally and emotionally preparing myself for it. But once I was actually faced with sitting in that chair and allowing someone to examine my teeth, the fear took over. So I went home. For a lo

Getting braces at 34 has been one of the more unexpected chapters of my personal style—and self-image—journey. Of course, I expected my teeth to change. That's the whole point, right? What I didn't expect was how many other things would shift alongside them: the shape of my face, the way strangers perceive me, the conversations I have with my students, and even the stories people share with me about their own smiles. Here are five things I definitely didn't expect when I deci