#2 - I've Never Donated My Hair

My mother used to be a hair dresser. My childhood was filled with perms, cuts, and a little color. She experimented new techniques on me. She did my hair for almost every homecoming dance and prom. Many times I begged her to do something different with my hair when I got bored. It's like having your girlfriends dye your hair at a sleepover - except she was a professional :). Looking through my yearbooks, every year I had a different "look."

This spirit of change has stayed with me as an adult. I have cut my hair just about every length, and dyed it almost every color under the sun (no black goth phase for me though). One thing I have never been able to do though is let my hair grow. I always get antsy and cut it off before it gets too long. This past year or so however I have just let it grow and not done much to it, and lots of people remark, "I can't believe how long your hair has gotten!"

I didn't even realize how long it had gotten until it became hard for me to take care of. And usually what happens at this stage is I cut it off. But then a thought occurred to me - I have always envied people that donate their hair to places like Locks of Love. However, with my frequent styling I have never had long enough hair in good enough condition to make the contribution. Until now. Talking with a friend at school, I found out she was also getting sick of her long hair and I asked her if she would be willing to go short with me and donate the rest. She agreed and I set up an appointment with my favorite stylist at Belle Vous Salon.

So below is our haircutting adventure:

Sara pre cut doing the great picture in the mirror pose.

Look how long and gorgeous that hair is!

Here is the 8 inch long ponytail! Kiss it goodbye!

It's all gone baby!

Paige's ponytail!

Bye bye hair!

And now for the drum roll please...

Sara proudly displaying her braid and a beautiful new 'do!

Paige's new look and hairstylist extraordinaire Taran!

I had a fabulous day at the salon chatting with two wonderful ladies. I am so happy that Sara was a good sport and joined me in the big cut. I was not nervous at all, but I know this is the shortest Sara has been in awhile and I think she looks gorgeous with shorter hair! I donate blood pretty regularly, but for some reason this has given me so much pride! I guess because I know how long it took to grow out, and how difficult it was for me to do. I know it's just letting your hair grow and that I didn't actually have to DO anything, but it is still a great feeling!

So soon our hair will be off to an organization called Children With Hair Loss. It is based out of Michigan and they make wigs for children with cancer, burns, alopecia and many other medically related reasons for hair loss. They give these pieces free of charge until the child turns 18. If you are unable to grow out your hair, then please consider making a monetary donation to this group. I know how fabulous I feel with a new 'do and I can't imagine how great it must feel for the child on the receiving end.