Look you need to forget these comments. You guys are older now, and as natural hair makes a (permanent) comeback, you're ahead of the curve.
I don't understand why people get insecure about natural hair or transitioning in general. Everyone's seen it. Those girls w/ glued down hair and a fake ponytail in the back. The receding hairlines, gharish weaves, obvious wigs, and of course, the old lady w/ barely any hair left. What you have is a natural head of healthy hair that GROWS and that you know how to deal with. It's the right shade, and if you still have a fro, it probably frames your features far better than some overpriced style du jour.
If anyone gives a transitioner or natural issues, it's just wide open for their own fried locks to be thrown right back at them. Some girls in college tried the whole let's do your hair thing, and I'm like "Yeah, OH-kay. It's been four years and your hair has remained at ONE LENGTH". :/ You should never take / remember / care about advice from people who clearly don't know what they're doing.