From an Ugly Duckling to a Princess

I was not an attractive kid. From first to most of eighth grade, I was such a tomboy it was ridiculous. I hated anything girly, played around in the mud, only ever played video games (because they were just oh-so-MANLY) and refused to wear a skirt except on VERY special occasions. I wasn't just a tomboy, though- I was just a dirty, nasty child (though that's perfectly acceptable for normal kids, this is 12-year-old me we're talking about here, and you haven't heard the worst of it). I showered as little as my parents would let me, ate terribly and never exercised and developed a weight problem, and had acne the size of mountains all over my face. At twelve years old.
Finally, when I was fourteen I discovered Lolita. Actually, as embarrassing as this may be, my first exposure to Lolita wasn't actually Lolita- it was one of those cheap black and white maid dresses attempting to pass as Lolita, and I found it on a cosplay site as I fancied myself an otaku at the time (something that FINALLY ended freshman year and I am, unfortunately, still living down to today... and yes, I was one of THOSE otaku who mixed Japanese words into English sentences and wanted nothing more than to move to motherland Japan someday where I could eat ramen and be a geisha-samurai-ninja >.>). Nonetheless, I do remember that the model for this dress was quite beautiful herself, and suddenly I was a little more inspired to take care of myself. I started washing more often, and for the first time since Kindergarten I wore a casual skirt to school!
When I discovered real Lolita through EGL upon attempting to get further information on this beautiful look, I was enamored. I wanted to be as beautiful as all these girls in frilly dresses, and for once in my life I wanted to wear frilly dresses and act like a goddamn lady! I'm sure my parents and everyone around me thought I was insane, as I started buying and wearing skirts and (gasp!) pink clothes and accessories! I actively sought out Hello Kitty and cute merchandise I would've scoffed at as "stupid girl stuff" not two years ago. But, for the first time in my life, I was REALLY happy.
I admit, I might have been just flat-out denying my femininity for that "tomboy" period of my life. I clearly remember watching girls at indoor recess doing each other's hair, and being jealous that I couldn't go over and ask them (because that would've just RUINED my reputation, of course!!). So, when Lolita came along and I realized I was at the age where it was socially acceptable to wear makeup and dress up whenever the hell I wanted to, it was like a revelation to me. Today I wonder, could Lolita have changed me like it did had I discovered it two years before? Or two years later?
Today, I am not the person I used to be (contrary to what many of the people who attended elementary school with me seem to think... remember that weeaboo thing I mentioned earlier? That reputation's stuck with me, unfortunately). I do what I want to do, without fear of what people have to say. I openly admit if I like something, even if it's not time "image" I want. As for physical appearance, I believe I've done well! In the past three years, I've cleared up my face considerably (though my complexions far from perfect, I'm working on clearing it up and I usually wear makeup to cover it up anyhow!), I shower daily now (thank god... it's SO embarrassing thinking back to how disgusting I must have been), I know how to coordinate a decent outfit, and since discovering Lolita I've lost around 40 pounds!
I admit, I'm still far from physically perfect. Now that my hair's growing out a bit, I'm JUST learning how to do things with it, I'm still a mite overweight (my overall goal weight that I hope to reach this summer is 120!), due to being a teenager I occasionally get zits and I would like to work on my public speaking skills a bit, but as for my emotions? I've never been happier.
Even if I'm not all the way there yet, I truly feel like I've grown from an Ugly Duckling to a Princess.
That's my Lolita "origin story!" Does anybody else have one? I love to hear stories of how people came to love certain fashions, so if you've got one, please do tell! :)