This week, I donated to Locks of Love the hair I grew during Eden’s pregnancy. Locks of Love is a charitable organization that takes donations of human hair and makes them into wigs for children who have lost their hair through sickness and cannot afford a quality wig.
I called our local salon and told them I wanted to do a Locks of Love donation, we set up a time and I came in.
They gathered my hair into two neat ponytails, measuring 10 inches, each.
And then they cut them.
It was a sentimental moment — that hair grew as Eden grew. It was with us in those months of sickness and struggle to keep the pregnancy healthy, and I like thinking that it will bless some other little girl in her own struggle.
The salon gave me a lovely shampoo, and even a mini-facial and hand-massage, followed by a great haircut. The salon donates their services, so I got it all for free. It was extremely luxurious. I felt very pampered and praised, and after it was all over, they gave me my hair in a little baggie, and I zipped over to the post office, where I mailed them to the Locks of Love headquarters in Florida.
I’ve always been curious as to what happens from that point on, so I’ve contacted Locks of Love and asked them to be on the lookout for my ponytail. I want to know what happens when the pony tail arrives, how it is received and sorted and made into its final product, and how the kids receive it from there. I’m hoping they’ll send pictures for me to post here.
And here’s me with the new haircut. Eden’s wearing the daisy chain crown Mare and Ren made for her.
Soooooo beautiful!!
Love the picture of you all- so cute!
Gorgeous!! What cuties. And what a great thing for you to do.
What awonderful thing to do – there is nothing quite like pregnancy hair, and as much of the new lushness will go away anyway, this is a beautiful way to share the bounty. And a lovely example to your daughters. Of course, Ren is already eager to cut and share her hair, yes? Oh, and the flower crown is lovely – Eden looks like a faerie.
Random thoughts…
I donated my hair to LoL after my first was born and started growing it again after my second was born. He’s now 18 months old. So I guess it’s about time to get it cut, huh?
Love the pic- it also gives me hope that I will still have hair after getting the inches removed.
Also love the Trader Joe’s product in the background- I have similar bottles in my home, too!
v. sweet. I donated my hair once in college, and have not been able to grow it out so long again. You’ve inspired me, though. V. cool that you’re planning to follow the story of your hair!
Good for you, Liz.
Your hair must have been pretty long, you still have so much left.
It’s so thick and beautiful, you’re a lucky girl!
OMG! Will you look at those 2 girls! Absolutely GORGEOUS!
Go you! And, that is one GORGEOUS baby!!!!!!!!!!!
What an amazing thing you did. I’m glad I stumbled upon your blog so I could read your story!
What a beautiful picture
I did the exact same thing after my first was born in 2003, and I also donated it to Locks of Love. I felt I needed to give back after what I had received; especially since I always wanted to donate my hair. Now was the time, since I was quickly becoming gray even though I was only 25. I found the whole experience very freeing. I think the only info I got back from them was a certificate. I’d also love to know to whom it went to.
Just beautiful. *sigh*
I did that too, but I didn’t get my cut for free! That’s a wonderful thing that salon is doing. I hope LoL follows up with you. That would be interesting to see how it all works.
Oooh, I think Eden kind of looks like Mary – - I couldn’t figure it out at first, but in this picture, I think she looks like the biggest sister!
Love your new haircut. And you make really cute kids.
What a great thing to do! Love the photo as well.
Liz- You have such a big heart and teach your girls such wonderful lessons! I wish they publicized something like Locks of Love here in France…
Now you get to watch Eden (& Ren)’s hair grow in! How are the big sister’s doing with their new little one? Bisous from France.
I donated after all of my pregnancies- it seems the only time my hair grows is when I’m pregnant. It’s such a shame that Eden isn’t loved by her sisters, lol.
I have done this for years. Sometimes I have it chopped from waist length hair leaving me with still long locks, other times I have it hacked to above my shoulders to get that 10 inches. And on one memorable occasion, I walked out of the salon sporting a Mia Farrow a la “Rosemary’s Baby” cut. My friends have always freaked out asking me how I could do that to myself over and over. Its just hair, it will grow back.
I makes me feel good that the hair I curse whenever it rains or is humid is making someone very happy.
You are awsome.
So I have to ask… What exactly is that little Ren wearing in the last photo???
Wonderful! Good for you! And your girls are gorgeous!
What a lovely thing to do. And what a beautiful picture!
Tigpuppy, I am glad you noticed it too, because that was the first thing I thought when I saw that picture is “OMG Ren’s naked!”
Inspiring. I have pitiful hair and it won’t grow much past my shoulders by my first is blessed with ringlets that are already down her back. I hope she’ll understand locks of love in the next year or so and we can do it with her hair.
I love your new haircut, and this ADORABLE picture of the three of you. I love that you donated your pregnancy hair because that’s the most hair at one time most of us ever have, right?
(Semi non sequitur: Made me crazy that a certain celeb did a shampoo ad 10 weeks after her child was born. Talk about false advertising.)
Great thing to do…my daughter donated hers when she was 5 – the best part is the little thank you that she got from them afterwards…she keeps it as a reminder and is growing her hair again.
Beautiful daughters!!
you have beautiful girls!! great pics!
i donated my hair after my son was born to Wigs for Kids. (my sister in law, who does hair, says they charge less for the wigs) i plan on doing the same thing after this baby that’s coming in October. i think it’s awesome that you donated your hair. i wonder why EVERY post-partum woman wouldn’t do this! if nothing else, i didn’t want my boy grabbing my hair with his tiny, strong man grip!
ok… off to catch up on the rest of your posts.
What a great idea! I’m sure the little girl who receives your hair will be thankful for your generosity. Very inspiring!