Monday, September 27, 2010

Eighteen Inches Lighter

My hair grows super fast. And contrary to popular belief, in my experience long hair has been much easier. And I think I've gotten one short haircut in my life that I actually liked. And I don't have a stylist here in Tennessee, and with long hair you don't have to pay for regular haircuts anyway, never mind lining up a babysitter to go to an appointment. So...after my last short haircut in 2006, my hair just sort of grew. And grew. And grew.

I sort of figured I might as well let it keep growing, and donate it--which I did the last time it got this long, when I was a sophomore in college. Then several months ago, my college roommate told me about Pantene's Beautiful Lengths program. Unlike the famous Locks of Love, which is for children's wigs, Beautiful Lengths provides wigs for adult women with cancer. My roommate, Stephanie, was particularly interested in this because her mom died of breast cancer when Stephanie was 15.

I never had the privilege of meeting Renee Longbrake, because I didn't meet Stephanie until a few years later. But over the years Stephanie and I lived together, I came to know her secondhand, and love her. I found that although it inevitably brought tears all around, Stephanie loved to be asked about her mom and have the opportunity to share her memories. As a result, I have many bittersweet memories of my own, of late nights in our dorm/townhouse, listening to stories about Renee and thinking how I couldn't wait to meet her in Heaven someday.

On Saturday, it was finally time for a haircut. I splurged on an appointment at a really nice salon, in hopes that you get what you pay for. I have never had my hair this short in my LIFE (excepting the kindergarten pixie cut my mom chose before the infamous mullet...), and it's definitely going to take some getting used to...but I think I like it. And I think it's going to be reasonably low-maintenance, which was hugely important to me. So without further ado: I walked out of the salon with this haircut...




...and an 18-inch ponytail, ready to send off to Beautiful Lengths...
in honor/memory of Renee Longbrake.
[Love you, Roommate.]

11 comments:

LauraSparks said...

Wow!!! I wasn't expecting it to be that short, and when I scrolled on down, all I could say was, "Wow!!!" I think it's an incredibly cute cut. I might even take in your picture the next time I get a short cut. Love it!!

And you'll really appreciate a cute, low-maintenance haircut when your little one arrives. It'll be a few months before you figure out how to squeeze in a shower AND a hair wash AND getting dressed all in the same day. :)

I think it's wonderful that you're donating your hair, too. I have a couple of friends who've lost their hair due to cancer treatments, and having a wig available has been such a blessing. Thankful for your roomie who was so open with her memories of her mom who is still blessing others as her stories continue to be told.

Zoanna said...

As I said on Facebook, I LOVE it! Really flattering style. And how precious to donate it the way you have with special connections.

Ali said...

Love your new "do". You look beautiful as always, but I'm sure this will help to keep life simpler as the new little one arrives. :) By the way, I just awarded you an award on my blog. Be sure to check it out!

Rebecca said...

I've been growing my hair out for over a year now. Long hair is different for me; I typically have short hair. But now that I'm on a growing-my-hair-out kick, I had thought of donating it once it got super long. Thanks for posting the second website; I'll have to check into that. pAnd your new cut looks great on you!

Kristin said...

LOVE it. :) You just wanted to be like me in one more way, didn't you?

Amy said...

haha, Kristin - you know it. actually I was expecting something more like yours, where it's longer in front...I ended up with a LOT more layers. there is definitely no pulling this hair back at ALL, other than pinning the bangs with a bobby pin.

Marianne said...

Oh Amy ... THANK YOU for your generosity. I'm sure that sounds stupid. My mother-in-law was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. She'll be starting chemotherapy in a few weeks. Just know that there are women out there who are kindly donating a source of beauty to help other women, well, it makes me a little misty.

God bless :)

Danielle said...

I agree, long hair IS easiest. I've had my hair lots of styles. But, your new style looks AMAZING on you and I hope you love it. And, may I had, that color is stunning on you too!

Anna said...

Your hair was so long! Wow! And it looks really pretty both long and short. I love the style of your new cut. How great that you were able to donate it; thanks for sharing the story. :)

Sandra Leigh said...

it suits you so well!

So when are you expecting Baby to join the world outside? I keep checking your blog to see. ;)

PS - I LOVE the big brother book for Elijah and the psychology behind it! You are such a good mama!

Anonymous said...

Hi! You don't know me but I am Stephanie Longbrakes cousin Allison. I just wanted to say thank you for donating your hair in memory of my Aunt Renee. She was a wonderful, smart, loving, beautiful person who was taken away from us too soon. I know you never got to meet my Aunt but I see her in Steph so you know how great of a person she was. Thank You!