The boys in middle school called me “gorilla of their dreams" because of my hairy arms, legs, and face (pronouncing gorilla as a play on the word “girl"). I started shaving around the age you did. Not until I was widowed at the age of 34 did I finally stop and learn to love myself as I am. Thirteen years later I still don’t shave and also now have a partner who accepts me and loves me as I am. Excellent article and very much needed!