Confidence is key on a wedding day, and this bride radiated it in abundance. She challenges society’s perception head-on, using her wedding day as a platform to demonstrate that gray hair can be a striking and elegant feature to behold.
On July 2, a heartwarming moment captured the attention of millions when Miami makeup specialist, Tia Codrington, shаrеd a TikTok video featuring her client, Kadeja Baker, radiating beauty as she embraced her natural gray hair on her wedding day.
In the accompanying caption, Codrington expressed her admiration, stating, “I loved my bride’s natural gray hair. She’s had it since she was 16.” Little did they know that this extraordinary display of self-acceptance would soon set the internet abuzz, amassing an astonishing 1.4 million views and over 170,000 likеs.
“I initially didn’t have any expectations when posting the videos other than to shаrе her beauty through my eyes,” Codrington said. “But witnessing how she embraced and embodied the beauty of her hair was something I felt compelled to shаrе.”
Codrington added that it was “amazing” to know that Baker had the option to change her hair color for her wedding day, but chose to be herself and wear her natural hair color.Before her wedding planning process, Baker was not active on any social media platforms. In an interview, she admitted to feeling genuinely “sh.ocked” by the overwhelming attention her video received, describing the response as “plentiful” and heartening.
Reflecting on the unexpected viral fame, Baker humbly shаrеd, “I did not expect for the responses to be as plentiful as I look at myself in the mirror every day and did not think it was that big of a deal that I was embracing my natural hair and look.”
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A post shаrеd by Kadeja Baker | Bridal Stylist (@kb.definition.style)
The 38-year-old bride expressed her surprise at the overwhelmingly positive comments on social media. Kadeja shаrеd that it took her many years to fully appreciate her own hair after the onset of graying during her teenage years.
Despite her initial reservations, she was deeply moved by the support and inspiration her video brought to others. Grateful for the kind words, she humbly said, “They’re saying I’m embracing myself, but I would tell them, ‘Thank you for taking that on and seeing it that away and allowing it to inspire them. Thank you for embracing me.’”
My granddaughter was constantly mocked by her classmates because of her braces.
The sun streamed through the kitchen window, illuminating dust motes dancing in the air. I sat at the table, sipping my tea, when the doorbell chimed. A wave of excitement washed over me. It was Lizzie, my granddaughter, a whirlwind of energy and sunshine.
But today, her smile seemed a little forced, her eyes downcast. “Hi Grandma,” she mumbled, her voice barely a whisper.
My heart sank. I knew something was wrong. Lizzie, usually a chatterbox, was unusually quiet. “What’s wrong, sweetheart?” I asked, pulling her onto my lap.
She shrugged, her shoulders drooping. “Nothing.”
“Come on, darling,” I coaxed. “You can tell me anything.”
After a long pause, she finally admitted, “The kids at school are teasing me again.”
My blood ran cold. “Teasing you about what?”
Lizzie looked down at her feet, her voice barely audible. “My braces… and now my glasses.”
My heart ached. I remembered the cruel taunts I had endured as a child, the feeling of being different, of not fitting in. I couldn’t bear to see my granddaughter go through the same thing.
“Lizzie,” I said, my voice firm, “those kids are just mean. They’re jealous. You are beautiful, inside and out, with or without braces or glasses.”
She looked at me doubtfully. “But everyone else is wearing contacts.”
A mischievous glint entered my eye. “Really? Well, then I guess I need to get some contacts too!”
Lizzie’s eyes widened. “But Grandma, you don’t need glasses!”
I chuckled. “Oh, but I do, darling. I’ve been needing glasses for a while now, but I’ve been too stubborn to admit it.”
And with that, I went to my room and emerged a few minutes later, sporting a pair of stylish, oversized glasses. Lizzie stared at me, her mouth agape.
“Grandma!” she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling. “We look like twins!”
She threw her arms around me, hugging me tightly. “Thank you, Grandma,” she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. “You’re the best grandma ever. I love you!”
My heart melted. I had never expected this reaction. I had simply wanted to comfort her, to show her that she wasn’t alone. But seeing her smile, her eyes shining with admiration, filled me with a joy I hadn’t felt in years.
From that day on, Lizzie embraced her glasses. She even started experimenting with different frames, choosing colors and styles that expressed her individuality. The teasing continued, of course, but it no longer had the power to dim her light.
And I, her unlikely accomplice, watched with pride as she blossomed into a confident, beautiful young woman, her glasses becoming a part of her unique identity. I had learned a valuable lesson that day: sometimes, the best way to combat negativity is with a little bit of humor and a whole lot of love.
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