The Day My Hair Went to Disneyland

I’ve started writing this post about 10 times and always hit delete.  Fashion & beauty isn’t normally my topic of conversation, and pictures of myself are definitely not ranked as one of my favorite things.

But, yesterday, my blogger friend Eddie posted this brave story about her midlife crisis hair, which gave me courage to post my own story on such matters.  So, get your cup of coffee, it’s story time.

And it’s ok.  You can laugh. I am.

I think all of us (please say yes!) have certain physical attributes that aren’t our favorite things.  It’s just a fact of life.  For me, in the past,  it’s been teenage acne, teeth that I wish had had braces, and a big bump on my nose that looks like I’ve been a former hockey player.  Midlife has brought on a few more beauties in the form of age spots and more than a few pounds that are stubbornly clinging on to join me in the journey of life.

I determined way early in life that I didn’t want to focus all my attention on things I couldn’t change in my appearance, but instead work on my heart.  I know I’d certainly rather be with a happy “un-perfect” person than a perfectly beautiful snob.

Although I want to work first and foremost on who I am deep down in my soul, I also want to do the best I can at looking my best, too.

Needless to say, I have high expectations for my hair…and clothes.

Both need to fit right into the “miraculous” category so they can disguise all the things I want to draw attention away from.

***

Enter about 3 months ago.  I had been working in the camp kitchen for longer than I’d ever dreamed I would.  I was exhausted beyond words.  And beyond the normal stresses, my hair was driving me around the bend.  I had visions of having the dreamy long hair look ~ Reese Witherspoon’s to be exact.

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I grew and grew and grew out my hair until it was close to the same length.  And when it finally arrived there…

There wasn’t much “dreamy” about it at all!  Not to mention, I had to try to figure out how to put all that hair up every single day to go work in the kitchen.

I was just too tired for all that falderal.

I was also terrified to go to a hairdresser.  {Let’s just say I’ve had more than a few nightmarish experiences…}

So, I put out a plea on Facebook and learned of a new place in town.

I put my courage on and picked up the phone.  I decided it was Divine Providence that an appointment was available on the only day off I had.

It didn’t take away the nagging fear, though.

I was so tired at that point I just didn’t know if I could handle a haircut from Hell.

The night before the big day, I told my husband,

“Oh, I just wish I could go on one of those shows that takes the before and after pictures and makes me looks good.  I’m too tired to figure out what to do…”

This story could go on and on, so I’ll just cut to the chase.

I was welcomed into this new salon with sweet excitement.  3 ladies gathered around my chair when I sat down, and said, “What can we do for you today?”.  Then they fussed and fiddled and consulted and encouraged and gave my hands a paraffin wax (as part of the normal package!) while they highlighted, cut and styled.

As I was laying down getting my hair washed (Did you catch that?  You can lay down!!) and feeling so pampered and loved, I exclaimed,

“Oh, mercy.  This is better than Disneyland.”

You see, I had read that Disneyland’s marketing strategy was to create an experience far better than what the client expected.

That’s what was happening for me.  Not to mention, I’d choose being pampered any day over being catapulted in the air at excessive speeds and milling through throngs of people…

But, the part that made me nearly burst into tears was this one question:

“Can I take your picture?  We like to do ‘before and afters’ here.”

Sometimes God knows we need more than just a haircut.  That day made me feel loved and cared for ~ not only by the amazing salon workers, but in a much bigger scheme.  God knew just what I longed for that day, and gave me a gift far better than I ever dreamed or imagined.

I’ve been there 2 times since, and each time I leave feeling like my hair just went to Disneyland.

And, the new look?

It’s short and sassy.

I love it…and love that I can fix it in 5 minutes flat.

{For you locals who want to know, I went to Industry Salon.  Sam is my new hair whisperer/ angel.  If you go to their Facebook page, you’ll find my first “before and after” picture hidden in there.  I laughed and laughed when I saw it.  No wonder they took such good care of me.  I walked in looking terrible!!  ha!}