Ok... here's the update for today. If we were playing "Transition Bingo: First-Time Edition" today? My dauber would be running low on ink.
Got dressed this morning, and was wearing a long-sleeve polo and some Lands Ends stretchy women's cords that I wear a lot. My wife took one look and smiled, pointing to my chest area. Again, I wasn't that aware... but she was right. So ... I went into the drawer and grabbed a sports bra and threw it on underneath. FIRST TIME I've gone out of the house wearing a bra.
Got to the salon. Well, we chose... wisely. I've seen videos and TV interviews with the owner. We've emailed. I knew she was kind. Well she was awesome. She and the salon staff member who was my primary contact. The two of them were just so much fun with me and my wife (the salon owner kept telling my wife "when this is done, we make you blond next! No.. ok... highlights? No... ok.. I'm not giving up..." 😂)
I've been gray since 16... so they started by showing us a gray piece.. but it's synthetic and well, it looked like a mop. We said.. no. They agreed, and said the real natural progression for me and my skin tone and hair would be blonde.
So they showed us a blonde topper. Like YELLOW SUN blonde. And it nearly broke my brain. I mean.. just all the stuff that was happening... hair on my head to begin with and now this bright blonde? Yeah, we were both in agreement as to it being "too much, too far"
Tried another piece but they didn't like it, and then a third which is a blended piece... darker roots and then light brown hair...and it clicked. Everyone liked it. So while we weren't sure if just consulting today or buying we said "let's go for it."
So that meant, they had to die my hair to blend. And just like that... after 40 years... I'm a dirty blonde. FIRST TIME HAVING MY HAIR DYED.
Then the topped was attached, cut and styled... and wow. I mean.. wow. I really like it. My wife really liked it and the salon folks were crazy about it. So we had a choice about clips (removable) or beads (semi-permanent — 5/6 weeks at a time)
We went with clips... to give us the option. But we said it put it on and style it and I walked out with it on... and immediately went to a restaurant for lunch. So ... yeah FIRST TIME OUT IN PUBLIC dressed and with hair.
Lunch was great, no problem. My wife said it was because I was ready. If you had a blood pressure cuff on me it wouldn't have changed the whole time. I was calm. If people were looking I didn't register it. Our waiter came over and said "Good afternoon ladies, what can I get you to drink" and we were off from there.
My only issue was, I realized that I hadn't used the restroom at the salon. I regretted that. My wife said to use it at the restaurant, and I felt that was a bridge too far. She said the place wasn't that crowded, it might be empty anyway and she'd go with me... but I still passed.
Well at the end of the meal we were getting ready to go, and she grabbed me by the hand and basically dragged me to the women's room. First of all, it was grand central station in there. Like there were 1,000 women in there. I'm quite sure I'm not exaggerating.
But even so... did what needed to be done. Washed hands, and walked out and... FIRST TIME USING WOMEN'S ROOM IN A PUBLIC PLACE
Oh and by the way, the photos of me with hair? Shared them with my sibs, our son... my therapist, my electrologist and a couple of friends already. Figured, might as well. Got lots of great feedback.
So... I know the transition book has about 90 chapters. But if we were on chapter 3 yesterday, I feel like we blew through at least the next two full chapters today alone.
Exhaustedly yours,
Allie