With my son – Arie.

I chose this photo to post in celebrating the birthday of my son because this moment in our lives mark another pivotal moment. Arie had never had a haircut..he was born with so much hair..a nice afro – it was so full it looked like a wig! Both of my children have a lot of hair. Lauren’s was in the middle of her back by age 4…same thing people would ask ‘is she wearing a wig?’ For the record..it isn’t true people of color..black people don’t grow hair.

I’d seen one boy with locks and thought it would be cool to do that to Arie’s hair. I started him with braids and then began the locking process. His locks received so much attention..strangers would want to touch it, cue Solange Knowles ‘Don’t Touch My Hair” because it is odd when strangers want to touch your hair, and even more a child. Arie would occasionally be teased by students..’do you wash it?’ Of course – it’s hair!

By the end of junior high, he’d had enough and I’d see them around the house. “What are you doing to your locks?”  Arie was slowly cutting them – he was over them. He played AAU basketball and wanted to look more collegiate he said. I could tell he was ready for a change. There are moments in our lives no matter how young or old we are..change becomes necessary. We feel it, we know it. The thing is to embrace change – don’t fight it.

Cutting his hair prior to the start of high school was probably more emotional for me. Hair carries a lot of energy and I was so accustomed to seeing his lion mane. I saved some  of them in a ziplock and then made an appointment for his first trip to the barbershop.

From that point, it seems time really flew as he became a young man..junior varsity and varsity hoopster..then college student off to NYC. His interest is business and finance. Arie is a hard worker too. Instilling a strong work ethic in both is something to be proud of.

We have to allow our children to grow and be who they want to be while giving them the proper tools and foundation while raising them. Cherish the moments at each stage, time goes fast.

I love both my children more than words can convey. Being their Mom is the jewel of my life. Keeps me grounded..even though they no longer live at home. I value our relationship, and the fact they keep teaching me things too.

I still can’t believe Arie can grow a beard!

Happy Birthday Arie!! I love you beyond the unigalagalala-unigalaxy!