More Than a Pair of Scissors

So, about 4 times a year I get my hair completely redone! I love it! It makes me feel like a new woman and it helps me get out of the Frumpy Mom stereotype. I was talking to my favorite hairdresser yesterday and we realized that she has been doing my hair since I was about 17. Can you believe it? That was sooooo long ago!
I am lucky, though, because my favorite hairdresser also happens to be my cousin! I think that's also one of the reasons I love going to see her so much. We are both oldest children and have had a lot of responsibility in our lives in taking care of our younger siblings. I look up to her in so many ways. She is the oldest of all of my cousins and so, growing up, I kind of put her on a pedastool. She is only about 2 years older than me and so we have become friends over the years.
Otto had encouraged me to make a "girl's night" out of my hairstyling appointment, so Amber and I took full advantage of that! After she did a fabulous job on my hair (I am now a red head again), we both ditched our kids and hubbies and went out for dinner and then to a movie. It was great! We both drooled over Brad Pitt and had a fun time just hanging out.
I have been so blessed in my life to grow up in the family that I did have. I love that I have so many cousins that I can be close to. It seems as though no matter where my cousins live, they are a part of my life. I try to keep track of them (I have a better time doing that with the older cousins than with the younger ones, but I still try) and I LOVE hanging out with them! There are some inside jokes that live on forever because of my cousins and it is always a party when they are around.
So Amber, thanks for being more than my hairdresser! Thanks for being my friend, my cousin and so much more. I had a blast hanging out with you yesterday and it was fun just hanging out with you like we used to do back in the day.
Oh, and just a little note. . . I do recommend that you become friends with your hairdressers! I think that it makes them do a FABULOUS job on your hair! I am ALWAYS so happy with how my hair looks after visiting my cousin. . . seriously! It's so much fun to have them around!