Paying it forward - Chopped edition

This is the song that has played in my head everyday when I saw my long brown hair in the mirror...

From the Broadway show - HAIR...

Gimme head with hair
Long beautiful hair
Shining, gleaming,
Streaming, flaxen, waxen

I'm so incredibly happy to report that those days are over

As many of you know, I've been growing my hair out for quite a while...between 2 and 3 years, actually.  It started with the notion of just wanting it longer and grew into the idea of, "well...it's already this long, let's grow it out to donate". 

I've never had long hair, so, I was completely oblivious about the commitment it actually takes to maintain it.  The amount of time it takes to wash and style it.  The crazy knots it would get into and the pain I'd endure as I combed them out.  The concept of having this beautiful long hair, but never wearing it down because the baby would pull on it, or it would fly into my mouth, or how I hate the way it felt on my neck. 

I begged and pleaded with my Hair Stylist Goddess, Nikki, to chop it off..and she'd smile and remind me of why I chose to become a hair farm in the first place and I'd relent and dream of the day that I could have short hair again.

Yesterday was that day.  I decided to donate my hair to Pantene's Beautiful Lengths program.  The donated hair goes to make real-hair wigs for women with cancer.  Over the past 2 years or so, I was able to grow a pony tail that was about 10-inches long.  This and 5 other pony tails will go to making a wig for one special lady.
You can read more about the program here: Pantene's Beautiful Lengths

Here's what I love about what I did...I hated my long hair.  Yes, it looked nice, but it wasn't me.  My noggin is made to wear it's mop SHORT.  And through donation, someone going to get that hair and really LOVE it.  And I made that happen...that makes me feel all super warm and fuzzy inside.  While the new hair feels great, the warmth in my heart that I received by paying my blessings forward feels AMAZING.  I've been smiling all morning.

Below are pics from my "make over" yesterday.  For reference, I get my hair styled at J. Hair Gallery.  The shop is adorable and the ladies are even cuter!  Jess is the owner and Nikki is my rock star stylist.  Pay them a visit if you're looking for a trim or an entirely new 'do!  LOVE YOU GUYS.