Daphne's First Real Hair Cut

I love long hair. I don't really know why. Perhaps it is because I am overtly feminine at any given opportunity. I'll pick red, purple or pink over blue or green almost any day. I've always worn my hair long and I actually have no desire whatsoever to check out any of the adorable short doos on my own hair. I love it long and will probably be one of those old ladies with long gray hair.
Anyway, we have moved into the phase of life where Daphne has her own opinions about her hair. Actually, we moved here about a year ago, when she started asking to cut it short. At first, I tried to talk her out of it- I love her long, gorgeous blonde curls. But it seems that the longer it has gotten (or the older she gets) the curl is falling out more and more.
One day several months ago, I said, "Daphne, if you really want to cut your hair, let's do it." It's your hair and I want you to decide." And do you know what she said?
She smiled really big and said, " I like it long."
So... it's been long and longer and even longer after that. I can't leave it down and just scrunch up the curls anymore- it gets to stringy and the curls fall out. In fact- I'm afraid that she has a hair curse that my dear friend Carole lives with. The top layer is relatively straight, while the bottom layers are increasingly curly the closer you get to the bottom. Bummer.
So, when she said she wanted to get her hair cut, I was glad. I really wanted her to have some autonomy and choose and I hoped that this might give new life to her curls.
Here is our before pic (no combing or anything that morning):


And after (with some scrumching and gel):
I know it's not short... it's still pretty long. But we took off a good 3 inches or more. And I think it's just adorable. She always is!