Hair Cut!

So, I finally did it! I cut it all off! My hair that is! I am 8" shorter and about a 100lbs. lighter! Okay, maybe not 100lbs, but a huge weight has been lifted off of my head! It was amazing how almost immediately I felt relief! I have been planning on cutting off my hair for some time now! I have worn it long for the past 6+ years for several reasons!

1. I was in college and couldn't afford a hair cut every 6 weeks to keep a cute short style.
2. I was getting my masters and was too lazy to care for my hair properly.
3. I decided to start caring for my long hair in preparation for donating it!

The idea of donating my hair is a courageous and inspiring story (not about me, but someone else I find very special!) But, to begin, I should say that several years ago I heard about Locks of Love. It is a hair donation charity, that accepts hair donations to be made into real hair wigs for people with cancer who have lost their hair. I always thought it was such a wonderful and simple way for anyone and everyone to give back and help another person! I started researching Locks of Love in 2007 when my aunt, Pattie, was diagnosed with breast cancer! Pattie had such a difficult experience through her surgeries and treatments! As a result of chemotherapy, she lost her hair and decided to purchase wigs.

At Christmas, Pattie and I were talking about everything that she had experienced thus far and she explained that loosing her hair was one of the worst things for her! She explained that she realized that loosing her hair may seem petty to others, but that she felt a true loss. I explained that I didn't find it petty at all because I feel that for most (myself included) our hair is a large character in our physical identity! From that moment, I decided that I had to do something! I didn't think that finding the cure of cancer was likely to come from me, so I decided that I was going to start caring for my hair in preparation of donating it!

Locks of Love requires 10". That is a lot of hair for someone with a head of hair like me! But, I wasn't too concerned about growing it because luckily my hair grows fast. But, I was dreading having to care for all of that hair up until I cut it. But, not to worry, Brent saved the day! He had heard about Pantene Beautiful Lengths. This is another hair donation charity that accepts 8" for the same exact cause as Locks of Love. I felt relieved!

Now, if you know me, you know that I have a ton of hair! To say that it is thick is an understatement, plus when you grow it out, it starts affecting your lifestyle! Before cutting it, I was spending 1 1/2 hrs. washing, blow drying, straightening, and styling it! Actually, I had started wearing it curly because it was taking so long to care for it!

So, on Monday, September 8, I cut it all off! I decided that this was a way to give back and help those like Pattie enduring the pain of chemo and loosing her hair in the process! So, here is to Pattie! I donate my hair in honor of you and your courageous and fight against cancer. You are not just a survivor, but a conqueror because of your hard earned efforts!

For an update....Pattie's cancer is gone and her hair is growing back!