For better or for worse surprises
As the title implies, I went into the marriage with my eyes wide open and realized there might be bumps during our years together, but I also knew there would be tremendous joy. Usually, my husband is kind, caring, and very attentive to me and my feelings, but every now and then there is a complete surprise for me. For better or worse, I’m not always sure what my reaction should be. Curiosity? Anger? Astonishment? Soothe with a big sigh? All four sharply describe my last reaction to him.
One of my New Year’s Resolutions is to save money. You know how vacations and credit cards are soulmates: I see it; I love you; I buy; I give it away; repeat. While I remain deeply satisfied with the purchases I have made for my family, I also realize that care must be taken in the months ahead so that I can rebuild our bank account. My husband and I have always been savers and like to know that we are ready for any inevitability. So I decided that one savings would be for him to cut my hair instead of shelling out $45. I had cut before, why not an encore?
I washed and styled my locks which had grown to a length where I could comfortably create a ponytail or pile it on top of my head in a graceful twist. I’m not sure long hair really suited me, but I loved the youthful joy of swinging hair while running or going about daily chores. “About half an inch,” I declared as I showed the measurement with my thumb and forefinger. “Just a little off the ends,” I continued.
Shoulders wrapped in a towel, he began. “Cut! Cut!” The scissors clinked as she cut, then screeched, “It will grow back.”
At this statement, I should have thrown in the towel and run away, however, I had faith in his abilities and let him continue. “Snup! Snup” repeated the scissors as it circled around my left ear and headed for the back section. “Snuuuppp! Snuuuppp.” I knew this noise was unlike my usual stylist sounds and it made me curious, but confidence washed over me, so I allowed it to circle the back of my neck and slide down to my right ear and chin. “It’s okay!” she exclaimed with an area of pride.
“Thank you!” I stated as I prepared to shake off the towel and take a boyfriend. “Oh my!” I yelled as I looked at the ground. “That’s not half an inch, that’s 3-4 four inches. What have you done?”
He replied, “As I said, it will grow back.”
“I know,” I mumbled knowing it would take three years: my hair doesn’t grow fast. Tears overwhelmed me as I picked up the tangled bundle and tossed it in the trash. Dumbfounded, I uttered, “What were you thinking?”
I spent the rest of the afternoon in pain and frustration, wondering why and how I had allowed this to happen. Every time I ran my fingers over my skull, I relived the anguish as my fingers stopped in their tracks. Well, they stopped dead in their tracks at most places. In the back in particular, I discovered strange remnants of braids that were once long. The inability to cut the back of my neck forced me to return again and again to Lynn so she could continue with the finishing touches.
A long afternoon, frequent glances in the mirror, and a restless night’s sleep finally brought me some calm. After all, what can I do but wait 36 months for the return of a super updo? Saving money is important just as taking short cuts can be wise, however cutting my hair will be importantly saved for someone else.