Better in the Long Run

The Giver

"Hey mom," Sutton looked up from her cell phone as I made dinner, "I think I need a hair cut."

"Yeah we can do that," I smiled, sliding the fish into the oven, "honestly mine needs a trim too." I looked outside and there were snowflakes coming down. "Maybe we will go tomorrow?" She nodded and in perfect time, I heard the chime of the front door. "Hey dad," Sutton smiled as Hunter came in from work.

"Hey how are you guys?" He hugged me and then Sutton. "Do I have time to shower before dinner." I smiled and nodded. Easton and Beckett trailed in from playing video games. It was the first day of Christmas break and we were planning to spend the next three days at home with Lynette and Leo before flying to Toronto on December 26th. Hunter emerged from the shower and after we enjoyed dinner, we bundled Millie up and went for a stroll. There was always something bittersweet about the snow in Nashville. We never got as much as I grew up with but just enough to make it feel like Christmas.

"Are you packed up babe?" I asked Hunter once we made our way to bed, "I haven't been home in like a year." I sat back on the pillows and Hunter reached for my hand.

"I know. Crazy how time flies. You've had an amazing year."

"We both have," I smiled, "two killer albums, two fun tours, we cleaned up award season." I smiled thinking back to the CMA awards where both Hunter and I each brought home two awards.

"To answer your question, no I haven't packed. But did we get all the Christmas shopping done? And did you mail the presents to your sister?"

"We finished Christmas shopping. And yes, everything is mailed. I think Dustin and Steph are coming for dinner tomorrow. She's going to meet his parents this holiday. She's totally freaking out." We made small talk, cuddled up and eventually fell asleep.

"Sutton, that is a really sweet thought," she handed me her cellphone after telling me that she wanted to cut her hair and donate it to children with cancer, "how did you come to that decision?"

"Well, Savannah - her cousin got sick and lost all her hair." She looked in the mirror before looking at me, "I don't need all of this. And it will grow back. From what I read online I have to cut off this much." She showed me with a hairband. I looked at my hair in the mirror and swooped it over my shoulder. I don't remember the last time I had a big hair cut and I felt inspired by what Sutton was doing.

"I am really proud of you babe," I put a hand on her shoulder, "that's really inspiring. I think I want to do this with you. Is that okay?" She smiled and nodded. I connected with my regular hairstylist and she offered to cut our hair and send it to one of the organizations that accept hair donations. "Sutton, we gotta go. Boys come in, let's get boots on." Once we were at the salon we got our hair washed, dried and braided. I gave Easton the job of taking our before and after pictures. He also decided to video tape the process. My hair went from being past my mid back to just above my shoulders, and the same for Sutton. We took a picture holding our locks. "Sutton I am so proud of you. I love your hair."

"Mommy, I like you hair like that. I've never seen it short." I smiled at Beckett in the rear view.

"Sutton text your dad the picture of us holding our hair." Within minutes Hunter called.

"Hey babe, you're on the car speaker."

"I just had to call and say how beautiful you both look. When did you decide to do this?" I could tell he was smiling.

"This morning." Sutton shouted from the back seat. Hunter told us how proud he was of Sutton's decision and donation. When we got home, I got on Instagram and posted the picture with a caption that read: Felt inspired by the kindness of my daughter. She wanted to donate her hair to #locksforlove so I decided to do it with her!

Once I posted online, I got cracking on dinner, making roasted potatoes, carrots, and broccoli all while the roast was in the slow cooker. By 6:30pm, we were all gathered around the table, enjoying dinner and reflecting on the pst year.

"The new hair looks awesome." Stephanie smiled.

"Thanks," Sutton smiled, "I know it will grow back. It feels a bit weird. I don't know if I've ever had it this short."

"You had a lot of hair when you were born," Steph is recalled, "actually all of you did." Hunter smiled and nodded in validation. The evening winded down with dessert, whiskey and wine.

"Hey kiddos, go upstairs and get ready for bed please," Hunter smiled, "we'll will be up in a few minutes." The kids obliged and said good night before running upstairs.

"I can't believe how much they've grown." Steph said, "I feel old. Like you basically have a teenager, and your boys, gosh they're so sweet."

I nodded, "Trust me, it's crazy. I can't believe it either. Give us just a second and we're gonna check on those hooligans." We checked on the kids and made our way back down to continue our evening with Steph and Dustin. I took another sip, feeling a serious buzz, "You know, I love this whole situation." I smiled, "it was what, thirteen years ago you guys met at Calgary?" Dustin nodded.

"Yeah. Here we are after all this time," he smiled at Steph, "couldn't be happier."

The night wore down, eventually Steph and Dustin headed home. We wished them a merry Christmas as Hunter and I stumbled to bed, giggling and a little bit disorderly.