Kindness of Strangers

So last week I decided to try a new hair stylist. I also decided to go back closer to my original color. It's been 10 years since I've been this dark. I was finally ready for a change. Unfortunately, new hair stylist made it darker than I had hoped. Especially around my face. I'm very particular about having it light around my face cuz I like to feel sunny. When it's dark around my face, I don't feel sunny, I feel sad. 

I know it's hard to tell from this picture because it's flooded with light, but there was a whole lotta brown hair around my face. I just didn't feel like me. It is never a good idea to make a decision, especially involving your hair, when you don't feel like yourself. So I decided that I could fix this problem all by myself.

However, it didn't really turn out the way I had hoped. In person, this looks orange. I just applied some (alot of) bleach to the hair around my forehead. No biggie. It will just lighten up to the color of my highlights. At least, that was the goal. I didn't succeed. I failed. Big time. 

I texted new hair stylist and confessed my crime and asked if there was any way she could fit me in this weekend or Monday to fix it before I have to stand before my class again this week. She said, "no." She said she'd have some time in 2 weeks though. She didn't even try to care or help me. I got the vibe, you made this mess, it's not my problem, so I'm not bending over backwards to help you. Good luck though. 

I decided to call the first salon I found after googling 'Salon's Near Me'. I explained my idiocy and asked if they happened to have anyone around who could fix a moron's mistake. They told me to come in so they could take a look at it. If it was a quick fix, they would fit me in that day, if not, they said they would work with me to get it fixed as soon as possible. This was no quick fix.

The stylist I talked to looked like she was disappointed in me. She should be. I was an idiot to think I could mess with chemicals I know nothing about and apply them to my hair and hope for a positive result. I'm actually lucky my hair didn't fall out. She asked if I was free on Sunday. I told her I was. She said, "I don't usually work on Sundays, but since you're a teacher and work on Monday, I can come in and do this for you."

I was blown away by her kindness. She let my problem become her problem. I didn't deserve her sacrifice. She gave it to me anyways. She wanted to help me with my problem instead of remind of what a stupid mistake I made. What a beautiful life lesson. It made think of the bigger picture...how often do I let someone else's problem become my own? Being on the receiving end of undeserved grace makes me realize I need to be much more conscious to others' problems and see where and how I can show love and kindness more often.

This is her finished product and I'm beyond happy with her skill. Finally, after 3 failed attempts at finding a stylist in Colorado, I finally found one - and she's an awesome person. This was the best mistake I ever made. It's hard to tell from the lighting in this picture, but I have light around my face again, but not too much. Just right.

#HOCO2018

A lot has changed since the days of the "Daddy Daughter Dance." This was 2009. 

Fast forward to 2018 and now Chloe goes to homecoming dances in HIGH SCHOOL with friends.

 These adorable girls were so giddy to be dressing up and doing a legit 'big people' activity.

Chloe and Brooke (the girl on the right) even let me do their hair. But my make-up skills are now sub-par to their standards. I think their skills speak for themselves. These are adorable girls, inside and out.

The backs of dresses are just as important as the front.

Bennett usually drives these girls to lunch most days, so they are very familiar with him. Poor guy has 3 sisters now. They begged him to be in the picture with him. He conceded as long as his beloved basketball could be in the picture with him.

In her heels, Chloe was taller than Bennett and wanted to be sure to document it. Bennett was not happy about this fact.

They started getting ready at our house at 5pm. We were hoping the lighting would be better for pictures, apparently we timed that wrong because as you can see, it was already dark outside. I filled them up with some tortilla soup and then another parent drove them to the venue. (They skipped out on the actually homecoming football game, cuz who likes to stand during a whole football game?) The dance started at 8. The girls arrived fashionably late at 8:20 and managed to stay until 9:30pm.

Growing up is the best. Watching them grow up is a little harder, but equally joyful. I share their excitement and giddiness because I remember how I felt. Plus, it's hard to believe I'm not that age anymore...and that my makeup skills suck.