Tuesday, April 7, 2009

A Day 4 Years in the Making


This is me four years ago. I was 5 or 6 months pregnant with Lauren. As you can see I had long hair. This was the longest my hair had ever been in my life. I had been growing it out for years to donate it to Locks of Love. When it was finally just long enough to cut and donate, I started a program trying to encourage others in my church and community to donate as well. So I kept growing it for another 8 months and cut it with everyone else who joined me.

All together we ended up donating hundreds of ponytails to Locks of Love. It was a great success. I spent lots of time working on this campaign, doing radio spots, newspaper interviews, visiting local churches to invite participation, and signing up hair cutters to volunteer hair cuts for those donating. 


Jon and I spent our anniversary that year in Brazil and as soon as I got home, I cut my hair.
 

This picture was taken shortly after I got my hair cut. All this while, Sabrina watched my doings. She loved my hair and loved to twirl it in her finger. She was sad when I cut it. She asked if I would leave one lock long for her to twirl. I told her she would have to twirl her own hair. 

After I cut my hair, she decided she wanted to grow her hair out and donate it to Locks of Love as well. About a year later, when her hair was almost long enough, she and Ann Marie played a game of "beauty shop" with real scissors. The result was a short bob for Sabrina and a VERY short bob for Ann Marie with some strange layers. :)

Since then, Sabrina has been growing out her hair with renewed effort. Yesterday I straightened it and took photos of how long her hair had gotten.


As you can see it was pretty darn long. She was tired of having it hot on her neck at night and put it up in a ponytail nearly every single day and night.


Then our wonderful Aunt Marleen came over to do some professional hair cuts for everyone. Sabrina cut a 12 inch ponytail off to donate and ended up with a really cute short stylish cut. 

She loves her new do. 


While I was sad to see her long hair go, she reminded me that she was sad when I cut my hair too. Just after Marleen cut off the ponytail I looked at Sabrina and said "Wow! You just look cute no matter what length your hair is!" And she is. 

Way to go Sabrina! I love you and am pleased with your decision to donate your hair to kids who can't grow their own hair. 

27 comments:

Shanan said...

I love it! You look so darling with your new hair cut, Sabi! I'm so proud of you for donating your hair to other children who can't grow their own.

Gosh Steph, I remember when you're hair was that long ... you ever going to grow it again??

Kaitlyn said...

That hair cut is adorable. I cut my hair in July to donate for the second time. If you haven't sent it in make sure you fill out the form so that you can get a letter back. It's really touching and it gave me something to put in my scrapbook.

April said...

wow that is awesome, and such a special memory to share with your daughters and soon to be son.

chanel said...

she's beautiful, both inside & out!

Rachel said...

What a beautiful little girl!

Anonymous said...

That's so wonderful. :D

lyn. said...

That is what I call setting a righteous example...

At the school where I teach, we had a whole family of boys, with the most beautiful blonde hair, who all grew out their hair to donate...

Samantha said...

Beautiful just beautiful. I have tears in my eyes. I love her new hair cut it really suits her. What do you do with the hair after it is cut? Do you mail it or is there some drop off place? What do you need to do with it in order for them to be able to use it, and how long should it be? I know a lot of Questions but both my daughter and myself have been thinking about doing this. Thanks, Sam.

Stephanie Waite said...

Samantha,
All your questions can be answered by visiting this website:

http://www.locksoflove.org/donate.html

Hope you are able to donate!

Love,
Stephanie

Mel said...

Wow that's awesome! She looks so sweet and grown-up! She did better than me, too... when I had mine cut for Locks of Love, I cried :(

Jill said...

How beautiful! I am so glad you posted this! I donated my hair years ago but have trimmed it on a regular basis since then.
I think I might grow it long again and encourage others to join me just like you did.
What a fabulous idea!!
Thank you for sharing!

Carolyn said...

This is so cool! I love that Sabrina wanted to do this all on her own and was dedicated to her cause!

At the salon I work at there is a stylist who actually has zero hair! She has alopecia, so she wears wigs. Isn't that great that even though she can't have any of her own hair she still likes to play with others'! I bet she when she was little she would have loved to have a wig made from Miss Sabrina's gorgeous hair!

Good work Sabrina!

Rach said...

Holy Moly that made her look so much older! The hair is beautiful and what a kind, thoughtful and generous gift. :o)

Rebecca Whitcomb North said...

Were you still in the Long Beach Stake when you organized donations for Locks of Love? I remember my stake doing that, but I couldn't remember who organized it. I donated my hair for the first time that year and grew it out again for another donation last summer. It's a very neat experience and I plan on doing it again.

Sabrina looks adorable with her new hairdo! Cute!

Bacardi Mama said...

What a great kid with an adorable new haircut.

cynphil6 said...

Stephanie,

That is a great post! My girls and I have donated to Locks of Love several times. After Keenan was diagnosed, Lauren wanted to grow her hair so they could make a wig for him. As it happened, we wrote on our forms that our hair was donated in memory of Keenan. The thank you card we received back had "Donated in memory of Keenan." It was touching for Lauren to see. I applaud your efforts!
xoxo

Marylin said...

She looks soo beautiful!! What pretty hair! My Lexi donated her hair one time and it made her so happy to do so! What a great thing for her to do! And you too!! :) Brazil, Huh? Jealous! :)

Susan Anderson said...

I've got tears in my eyes this morning...and all because of you, Sabrina. The Lord loveth a cheerful giver, and you are certainly one of them!

=)
Sue

PS. You are also a very lovely giver, and your hair cut is soooooo cute.

Lane family said...

Hi- I have a strange question. I was wondering how you would feel about me printing off the picture of your Sabrina's cute cut, and taking it into my friend/hairdresser. My daughter Elle has hair that looks a lot like Sabrina's before she cut it. Elle has been begging for a short cut- but I was not willing to let go of her pretty hair. This seems like a great compromise... and I LOVE the way her cut looks. If your totally creeped out- feel free to ignore me! I won't take her picture in without your permission. I'm done... now that I feel like a crazy stalker.

Unknown said...

I'm a hairdresser who actively participates in Locks of Love, so it pleases me that you are so involved! I love it more than anything when clients come in and tell me that's what they want to do with their hair!! Good Job, Sabrina! She looks adorable short!

Stephanie Waite said...

Lane Family,
Go ahead. I know how important a picture of the cut you want can be :).

Good luck
Stephanie

Jennie said...

Her hair is goregeous, both before and after the cut! She looks so adorable. My daughter has donated to locks of love twice- and has loved it. Such a worthwhile cause! My hair is super curly- so I doubt anyone would even want my hair- so I have never donated. However- I'm so proud of all those who do. Good job Sabrina!

Anonymous said...

You and your family are amazing!

Samantha said...

Thanks for the info:)

Anonymous said...

She is such a sweetie and soooo....beautiful!! Great haircut!

Nikki K.

Darleen said...

Beautiful girl! And beautiful hair cut. She looks like her mama. Anyway, that's awesome that she donated her hair. For the number of times I've cut my long hair I should of been donating it! Thanks for the encouragement.

Twinkletoes said...

Not only does it truly look absolutely adorable...what a nice, nice, nice think you do! I love how giving Sabrina is! What a terrific little girl!