"It's only hair Nicky. It will always grow back."

I remember the day I decided to grow it out. I was in between haircuts and in between hair stylists. I was not proactively looking for a new one of either, rather just going on with life by stuffing my hair into a ponytail before running out the door each morning. I did this without thinking twice for many months. Then, by chance, I ran into someone who was growing out their hair for a reason other than procrastination. Someone who spoke very passionately about a non-profit organization and wanting to help in the only way they could. It was this day I was introduced to Locks of Love.

Locks of Love is a non-profit organization based in Florida. They provide hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children that suffer from long-term or permanent hair loss. Children who do not have hair that will always grow back. On their website, I was shocked to learn it can take six to 10 donated ponytails to make one hairpiece. I ran my hand through my thick hair and instantly thought - it might be more of a curse than a blessing to have 6x this much hair!

My hair at 17.5 inches and 21 inches. Are we there yet?!

The more life happened during the 7 months I grew it out, the more it seemed like the right time for a fresh start. A fresh new look. I posted about my progress several times on my blog - whether it was counting down the inches or griping about lost sleep time due to more quality time with the blowdryer.  Friends, family and strangers were all close sources of encouragement for me. 

As it got closer to the date, my close friend Lanie recommended I try the Thomas Laurence Salon for a new stylist. She also willingly accepted being my photographer (which she did a GREAT job). Making sure I got through the door, Lanie helped calm my nerves as my stylist, Jason, chopped over 11 inches off my head.  Even having just met, I struck a chord with him. He was very familiar with Locks of Love donation requirements, a braided ponytail of a minimum 10 inches in length, and he assured me he had the right cut for my face. 

(Before the chop. After the chop.)

Cutting my hair was a liberating experience, quite incomparable to other charity events I've participated in. Looking back on the photos - my cheesy smile sitting in that chair with my ponytail still makes me smile each time I see it. I've received lots of nice compliments and really enjoy my new look. 

Some things about long hair that I don't miss include:

1. The humongous WET spots that adorned my shirts or pillows had I not towel dried enough.
2. EXTRA long showers and drying time, much better spent sleeping in the AM!
3. Getting ponytail headaches after long runs.

My one and only NEW problem:

1. What in the world to do with all my ponytail holders!

When I went to mail my ponytail, the post office associate asked whether it was my hair inside. I said yes with a proud smile. He told me his sister-in-law had lost her hair to a battle with cancer and politely thanked me for supporting a good cause. Then we had a laugh joking about the weight of my ponytail. I could have sworn I lost at least 2 lbs that day, yet his stingy scale reported a whopping 4.3 ounces. I decided on my way out that seeing something familiar in a stranger's face is one of many great comforts in life.

And through my story, I look forward to passing that comfort onto others.

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