no hair heather...

no hair heather. this is how my cousin has always referred to me.  i was born with a fuzzy mop of really thin, really fine, wavy hair.  my mom always kept it short because it was super fuzzy and just matted into a wad on the back of my head.  as i got older i went through a few hairstyles, but nothing ever past my shoulders.  why?  well my hair simply doesn't grow past my shoulders.  that may sound fishy, far fetched, or completely unbelievable, but i promise my hair doesn't get past my shoulders.

i have dreamed of having long, full gorgeous hair.  just like my sisters.  i have always been jealous of my sister's hair.  she has thick hair, it is a beautiful shade of brown, and it was always, always long when we were growing up.  my mom would put her hair in beautiful braids, or cute pig tails while i had a boy haircut.

i can remember several times in my youth being mistaken for a boy.  one in particular really left it's mark.  i was in minnesota visiting family.  my cousins and i were at a fast food restaurant, everyone had ordered but me and the order taker looked at me and said, "and what do you want little boy?"  i made a big deal about being a girl right there at the counter.

for the past several years my hair has looked exactly the same: shoulder length, sometimes a little lighter from the help of highlights, sometimes rocking some bangs, but mostly just the same old hang to the sides, straight, thin fine hair.  i decided for my fortieth that i was going to have long hair.

here are my before pictures

and here are my after pictures

don't mind my ridiculous faces, somehow i always end up with crazy eyes.

so far i am in love, love, love with my new hair.  i may need to get a handheld fan so my hair is always blowing, but that might look a little weird.  i am all thumbs with a curling iron and this much hair, but i'm sure i will get the hang of it soon.  my new hair is also very heavy, i wasn't expecting that, but just like donning a giant diamond on my hand, i will get used to the weight of my new hair.  hopefully i will be able to follow the brochure of maintenance and care that i was sent home with, because i want to get the most wear out of my new locks. 

an hour and half at the salon and having to take ibuprofen to be able to sleep the first night; who cares i have long hair!  a life long dream has finally been fulfilled.  forty is looking better every day!