A quick selfie before I raced back onto the skating rink. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
I am in tune — my body connects with my soul as I rolled around the skating rink.
Life has a funny way of bringing you back full circle — to where you should have been a decade ago, but here you are now … ready to dive into a pastime and you cannot remember why you let it go.
The music is blasting — speakers are thumping with artists you wish you could meet in person. The strobe light spins and shines … this is your forgotten wonderland — your place of peace.
As I smoothly circled around the hardwood floor, hoodie swaying in the breeze, I would’ve paid good money to see how wide the smile was on my face.
My past used to torture me; it used to send me into a downward spiral and the climb upward always catapulted me into a fretful fit. And now, there’s this — this pure goodness I should’ve welcomed back with open arms before today.
But maybe it wasn’t time yet. Maybe I hadn’t reached the place of growth I needed to reach, and God is always on time.
So, I am here … back in this space that sends me into an armful of happiness with much leftover to share — rolling around the rink, reminiscent of my past as I share it with my present.
Post-wash, interlocking process. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
I know I have said this before but I will say it again, I love this process! I dove headfirst into this journey knowing it would be a tedious one. However, it is proving to be so fulfilling as well. I consider Ája to be pretty badass, and she is living up to her description with no doubts!
On Saturday, March 11, 2023, I lugged my haircare items over to my cousin’s house. I arrived just after 1:00 PM. I carved out five hours for this task as it has proven to be a time-consuming one as much as it is glorious.
I wanted to be sure I allotted enough time in my day to be available. This date was exactly 6 weeks from the last interlocking session.
As time moves closer to each wash and interlocking visit, I grow more and more elated. Watching what my hair has done since December 11, 2022, has opened my eyes to the beauty of haircare and why it is important for us to love our manes unconditionally.
We are what our hair can do
There is some truth in the above statement and a bit of falsity, too. We, Black women, are by no means, our hair, but we are what our hair can do. We can be full (of good & bad emotions), energetic, bouncy, exuberant, healthy, and inviting.
We can also be pillars of strength and power. And on our bad days, we can be weak, full of sadness, flimsy, lacking color, thin, and dull.
When I have my hair freshly done, I feel unstoppable. This feeling is akin to one that mirrors rejuvenation.
When my hair is on-point, my entire mood shifts — my world becomes a scene straight from my own fairytale meant to satisfy my needs only.
I am on Cloud 9 with all my luggage, headed for a brief stint on Happiness Row (IYKYK).
There is nothing and no one who can make me feel inferior when a fresh “do” has found its resting place as my crown of glory.
Post-wash and interlocking: roller-set phase. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
At the 4-hour and 30-minute mark, my cousin was done interlocking my microlocs. I could get up from the chair and check out the results before the next step.
I looked at our accomplishment in the bathroom mirror and smiled. I recall whispering something like, “This is really happening. It’s really happening” before I went back to the chair for the finishing touches.
What came next, I had already known about before arriving at her home, but it has been decades since I have had my hair “roller-set”. However, the process did not take long at all.
My cousin placed sponge/foam rollers in each section and advised me to let them stay in overnight.
I did as I was told.
Roller-set microlocs, front. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
Giving my hair the stage it deserves
The end results are what you see above. I love the look — how Àja is bouncy and free and full of life! I adore how full and inviting my hair looks.
I have been transformed into my highest self just from a grand total of 4 hours and 45 minutes.
What makes it all worthwhile is when someone who loves you takes the time to love on your hair, too.
Roller-set microlocs, back. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
My cousin has truly been a blessing. Her talents are abundant, but using her skills to create art with one’s hair is by far a favorite of mine.
I assume that I am not the only one benefiting from this journey. She is gaining more experience with this particular genre of natural hair.
I am relearning what my hair can do, and it has been a titillating educational process so far.
I have the rollers with me at home, and I will roller-set my hair again in about 3 weeks. I plan to have it washed and interlocked again in 7–8 weeks.
Wherever we go, I will be there
Wherever Àja takes me on this journey, I’m going to be there — in my full and whole self, waiting to see exactly what else she can do.
And when my hair is finally loc’d and ready for the world to view its introductory walk into the light, I will be overjoyed.
The path is a much-needed one, and I am still skipping it effortlessly and with a heart full of happiness.
This journey has lit up my life in ways I cannot describe. I am a prisoner of this kind of self-care and self-love.
A Cornered Gurl 
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