Hair today, gone tomorrow

It was a tough decision, but after a tough couple of years trying to keep Zoë's ever-lengthening hair healthy and free of knots--which had us threatening to cut it one day and her begging us to the next, followed by brief periods of quiet (which recently became briefer and less quiet)--Kelly and I decided, with Zoë's agreement, that it was finally time to cut her hair. So, on Saturday afternoon, she went to the salon with Kelly, and an hour later, it was done.

Truth be told, neither Kelly nor I wanted it quite as short as it turned out. But once it was done, it was done. And Zoë's friends on the block, all of whom had gone through the same thing with their parents and some point, were incredibly supportive, rushing over as she arrived home to see the results and, across the board, compliment her (so enthusiastically that it really took me by surprise--but then I still don't have a complete understanding of the tween/pretween female psyche).

During the past few weeks, what had been a dry-and-knotted-hair problem became a dry-and-knotted-hair crisis, as chlorine from daily swimming and errant sunscreen took their toll on Zoë's waist-length, ultra-straight, moderately-fine locks. In essence, her hair started forming dreadlocks, and no amount of conditioning, brushing or pulling it back seemed to help. Knots removed returned in hours, and the result was more and more broken ends, which only aided the dreadlocks in their advance up the length of her hair.

I'll admit I was a bit overwhelmed when she first walked in the door Saturday, and I did my best not to show it in my facial expression, as it was clear that Zoë was watching my reaction and wanted my approval. But by Sunday morning, her new look had grown on me, and the fact that her hair was noticeably layered for the first time in ages didn't hurt. I found the cut framed her face very flattering. And whereas Zoë has always claimed she could not brush her own hair, given its length, she's now acquired a new hobby--hairstyling. On her own! And she's brushing it constantly, so my hope is that as it grows, this time, the hair will be--and stay--healthier.

The photos are evidence of the change--one taken a few days before the cut and the other minutes afterwards--so judge for yourself. I'd long hoped that when the day came for us to do this, we'd be able to donate Zoë's hair to Locks of Love. But it was in such bad shape, the topic didn't even come up. And to be honest, I don't know if Kelly, who brought the hair home and tucked it away, could have brought herself to donate it, anyway.

So, I'm still adjusting to my daughter's new look and trying to avoid doing double-takes whenever I walk by her. But I've got to tell you, it sure is nice not having to spend 10 minutes brushing out knots every time we want to go somewhere. Of that there is NO doubt!