I love to braid hair.
I can't tell you how many other peoples children whose hair I've braided for dance recitals or school photos.
"You need to have a girl of your own!" The moms would say.
When I thought that I was finished having children after my sons were born, I would wonder what it would be like to have a daughter, if only to braid her beautiful, long hair.
As The Rhythm Method would have it, I found myself unexpectedly pregnant 7 years after having what I deemed "My Last Child!"
A girl.
A daughter.
And as nervous as I was about mothering a daughter (due to the complicated relationship I have with my own mother) I was THRILLED that I would be able to braid hair EVERY SINGLE DAY if I wanted to.
Of COURSE, MY daughter didn't like for me to braid her hair.
"I WANT TO WEAR IT STRAIGHT DOWN!" she has said in dramatic fashion on more than one hair brushing session.
I thought about cutting her hair into a cute little bob because what's the fun of having a daughter with long hair if I can't braid it? My husband had to talk me out of chopping it all off on more than one occasion.
Eventually, she grew out of the "NO BRAIDS!" phase. Almost every morning, I put her hair into a braid of some kind. Sometimes a fancy braid. Sometimes a regular ol' french braid.
It's time consuming, for sure. Even if she wears it down, it takes what feels like FOREVER to blow dry. And every night I have to put it in a braid so it doesn't wrap around her neck or get tangled while she sleeps.
Not to mention the fights we've had over her hair. Remember The Great Bangs Drama of 2008? OH DEAR GOD IN HEAVEN, I DO.
I've thought about cutting it. She would look adorable with a bob!
But here's the thing.
I have become attached to her long hair. It's beautiful, with it's soft, shiny, golden, highlights. I love the way that it smells after I dry it in the evenings. I love running my fingers through it when she's reading her kindergarten books to me at night. I love watching her "style it" when she's playing dress up.
I know the day will come when she'll tell me she wants short hair. And I will agree and we'll cut it off. Because "It's only hair!" right? But I've come to realize why it means so much to me. That long, beautiful hair of hers reminds me every day of something that I never thought I'd have in my life.
A daughter.
Wow! She is growing up so quickly. Beautiful hair. Beautiful child.