well, i'm not natural beana, but like you, i have been thinking about it /images/graemlins/ohwell.gif(for me-on and off) for a year now. my last touch up was august of '02. i had like, ALOT of new growth! last night i made the decision and went ahead and retouched/texturized. i'm sitting here right now even looking at pics of myself before i went ahead and relaxed at age 19. my hair was at bra strap length then /images/graemlins/laugh.gif. i'm wondering if i could go au natural again. i'll have to think it about it somemore. i relax 2-3x yr and i like the option a mild relaxer gives me--straight or curly, but i do miss the thickness of my natural hair overall and having no chemicals in it. as i prepared for a retouch last night, i ran my hands thru it and couldn't believe how thick it was /images/graemlins/shocked.gifand if i should really do this, as i do every 4-5 months /images/graemlins/tongue.gif. it won't be that thick again until may/june /images/graemlins/confused.gif. good luck with your decision. we're here to help you no matter what you decide /images/graemlins/laugh.gif.