I had always wanted Hawley retainers but it never happened. No one ever thought my teeth were bad enough to need aligning and I couldnt ask because I thought it would sound weird.
Eventually I found enough courage to go on line and make an appointment to get some made.

I remember the technician putting them in my mouth, pressing them in position and asking me how it felt.
To me it was the best thing ever.
The first thing I felt was nothing....no sensation in the roof of my mouth. I couldnt feel my tongue on the roof of my mouth, but my tongue could feel the smooth plastic. It felt better than usual....comforting....unusual but good.
I wanted to answer and to explain how it felt but suddenly I realised that I was going to have to learn how to speak clearly. I said a couple of words but I knew that I wanted to be on my own and get used to the new feeling.
I knew I wanted to keep them in, learn to live with them and very soon not to be without them.
Yes, they were a turn on and that never changed.
It became totally natural to wear them and un natural to be without them. I still much prefer the feeling of wearing the top plate than being without it, for speaking, eating, sleeping and all the time.