My husband lost his mother to cancer when he was only eight years old. He still vividly remembers the wigs she would wear during the time of her treatment.
A couple of months ago we started talking about his mother and what he remembered about her when she was ill. The conversation ended with Brian deciding to grow out and donate his hair to Wigs for Kids.
Brian has been successfully growing out his hair for months, but he hit a very awkward stage the last few weeks. I assured him I could style the mop on top of his head. I am the first to admit I was overly-confident. I even busted out the diffuser (yep, pulling out all the stops). When I stepped back to admire my work I realized my poor poor husband appeared to have been electrocuted! (we had to leave for a nice dinner minutes after this photo was taken):
At this point, Brian is dying to cut his hair. Mr. B almost broke down and shaved his head, but stopped. He reminded himself the hair he was about to cut and throw away could make a world of difference to someone who doesn’t have any. However, the temptation is still lingering.
We were thinking trimming it may help him feel less awkward, but even more inspiring would be some words of encouragement! Any comments you have of support may keep his urge to grab the clippers at bay for another few weeks. We all know the end result will be worth it.
With all due respect your husband is hot. He can rock any look. Okay ALMOST any look. That look is in need of a ballcap. BUT he needs to stay the course and not trim or cut it. He will feel so good when he finally gets it cut knowing what purpose it will serve. I cut my hair for locks of love a few years ago. Granted, I’m a girl and my hair was super long but not only was it a moment of humility for me as a woman with hair to give but a teachable moment for my kids who wanted to know why I chopped off 10 inches of my hair…. But yeah… my advice: HATS!
<3 Spank
Spank he is beaming after hearing that comment. Flattery really may be the driving force behind him making it to 12 inches of hair! Hah
What an awesome idea! You go Brian, you can do it!
Bettina- he said thank you!
Tell everyone it is a new style that a stylist tried out on him. I have seen MUCH worse hair than that!! My husband also lost his Mom and Dad to cancer, he grew out his hair and donated it to locks of love as well. Your husband CAN do it. It will get past this awkward stage and get to a better stage…then again to an awkward stage and back. Anyone who has grown out their hair knows that it gets worse before it gets better, but it is for a worthy cause. Maybe take a picture each month and document the growth for a future YouTube video? With the after shot of the donation? That can make it fun too!
Wow, Holly- It is really cool to hear someone with a similar story and succeed! Thank you for sharing, that was really an inspiring to both of us. We are going to document it after your suggestion!
My husband went through a “I miss the 80′s phase” for a few years and grew out his hair. When his hair is long, it’s like shampoo commercial beautiful…sickening…;) But he also went thru an awkward phase, but once it gets passed it, his hair should start following a better path…haha Also, may want to look into other options for donating. When my husband was asked (begged) by his oldest son to cut his hair to a more “normal” dad length I told him he needed to donate it. Everything I found on Locks for Love indicated it wasn’t the best way to go. It doesn’t seem like all the hair always gets used and those who need it oftentimes have to pay a portion to receive it. I looked into Pantene Beautiful Lengths and seems as though their reviews were better. Just a thought…and good luck! I love your blog! You have a beautiful family!!!
Thank you Marcy! I thought he was going with locks of love, but he actually informed me he had decided on Wigs For Kids. Either way, I am so proud of him!
Right on! I’ve been wanting to see my husband with long hair but I bet I’d be super jealous
and yes I agree hats are lifesavers 
or bandanas lol
Hats have been a lifesaver for sure! The only issue is when we go do dinner or a wedding where it is inappropriate to wear a hat. That is stumping us!
You tell him he can’t be Khal Drogo for Halloween unless he grows his hair out long enough to braid.
He can’t wreck our halloween costume!
LOL!! I assume his hair grows *out* instead of *down*?
How does this work, anyway? I know when ladies grow out their hair it has to be 8″ long. Is there a different rule for men?
12 inches at the place he decided on (i mistakenly posted locks of love, but he had decided on wigs for kids and that is why his goal was 12 inches of growth)
Haha, yes! His hair with my styling sticks straight up, but it is a poufball regardless! Thank goodness he is cute.
well i expect some progress pictures lol!
And we shall deliver!
Unfortunately Locks of Love is not what everyone has been led to believe. They say they help kids and others with cancer but in actuality………read for yourselves. http://freeanissa.com/2011/03/reposted-from-hope4peyton-locks-of-love-you-disappoint-me-greatly/
But I agree with everyone else that Bryan looks amazing no matter what the hairstyle!
Hey Adrienne! He actually informed me after I posted it that he had decided on Wigs for Kids. I had forgotten and posted Locks of Love (I think it is the most common hair donation organization I forgot he decided on another one)
He did research on Locks of Love and came to the conclusion it was not corrupt, but it wasn’t where he wanted his hair to go.
Fabulous picture! I’ve wanted to donate my hair forever, but haven’t done it yet
. I lost my grandma to brain cancer when I was in high school and I remember her wig. I always think about if someone like me (with a far less common hair color) lost their hair to cancer and they couldn’t get a wig in their natural color. I love the idea that I could help another red head feel more like themselves during such a difficult time. Brian is doing a wonderful thing! There’s always an awkward phase in hair growth. I have three daughters and I’m always prepared for that quirky stage when I so badly want to cut their hair to avoid that toddler mullet, but know that they’ll be better off going through it as toddlers than going through it when they’re school age! Suffer now for the end reward! He can do it!
On another note, John is quite jealous of all of Brian’s hair! He is counting the days until he can grow facial hair and some locks. He’s getting out of the army in a little less than two years (after over 9 years of service) and is avoiding any future careers that might limit his hair and tattoo preferences. Haha
Oh man, Karen, let John know that Brian also was counting down the days of growing out some hair. For four years he had to keep a bald head an no facial hair with his job. Now that he is in a new area (same job) he is allowed to be free and is obviously has been taking advantage of his new found freedom the past couple of years!
And thank you! I know I want to donate my hair, too, but I am not a good candidate. My hair is fine, curly, breaks easy, and is color treated. They basically assured me it wouldn’t be used. I even thought if it somehow did get used I’d feel sorry for the person that got stuck with my wig!
The suffering (through the summer(s)) will make it all the more special! It’s a beautiful way to honor his mother. YOU CAN DO IT!
My son and husband haven’t ever reached donation lengths, but they have loved participating in St. Baldricks for the last few years. Just after St. Patrick’s Day it seems like I run in to bald people everywhere I go.
http://www.worldaccordingtoshannon.com/2011/03/bald-is-beautiful.html
I need to look up St. Baldricks! People keep talking about it! Heading over now! Thanks for the share.
I donated to locks of love – 20 inches of hair! Though, I’m female, so no one thought anything about my long hair.
Personally, I actually like longer hair on men. I’m always telling my partner to grow his out – he’s got gorgeous black, curly hair, which he keeps cutting short. Whereas I think he should wear it down to his waist, lol. Your dh looks fine – once it gets longer, it will only get better.
Holy cow! 20 inches? I am jealous of your hair growing ability! I like long hair on certain men, too. Can’t wait to see Brian’s hair long.
He still looks great! Very different from how he looks in a couple other posts of yours I’ve seen, but still very much looks like the cool dude he seems to be!
I love seeing a man take a little risk with his hair–like we women do so often (often disastrously!)–and especially for a good cause!
My best friend got diagnosed with cancer when we were 15, and wore wigs until she passed away when we were 18, and I was lucky enough to have her with me when I donated my hair. I had the bottom half of the back of my head shaved, so that I could donate the most hair possible without being completely bald myself–and I never regretted it for a second! I am a girly girl and probably loved having my long hair as much as your husband loves NOT having much hair! But the feeling when you see that hair being sent off to be made into a wig is so hugely rewarding that I can’t really explain it. I think it is one great way a healthy friend/family member can show empathy and support for the person they love who didn’t have such good luck with their health–plus an unexpected bonus was that since I did it in summer, losing about half a head of hair kept me so nice and cool!
Tell Brian he’s doing great work, cause that is some nice hair that will make someone very very happy!
Wow Chelsea, thank you for your comment. I am so sorry to hear about your friend. Your comment has inspired my husband even more- so thank you very much!
Agree he is a hottie regardless of hairstyle, he can totally work this! That’s awesome he’s growing it to donate. And hats are a great idea for the moments he gets really annoyed. Understandably this won’t work for a nice dinner out, but might help him with the day in day out part.
My husband’s head is going to be so big by the end of reading these very sweet comments he may not fit through the door! Thank you so much for your flattering words!
You can do it, Brian! It will build character
You are blessed to look great even in an awkward hair stage.
That hair above is basically what my husband looks like on a bad hair day, which happens frequently. But he claims he has a bad head for the shaved look. I LOVE curly, slightly out-of-control hair, so I say use a little product to keep it slightly in line, and have some hats on hand for this stage. You could also pull off a bandana. All the cooler if you let that Fu Manchu-like beard come back.
And sweet that you want to honor your mother in this way.
LOL the Brian’s and their bad hair days. I agree- it’s very Rob Stark Game of Thrones if it is styled correctly (obviously from the above picture we haven’t perfected the styling)- but I think it can be done. Where is Yanai!?
More love Brian’s way. And add one to the “your husband’s hot” pile.
I just hope this doesn’t give him a big head.
LOL Mandy! I am concerned as well!
Hi Brian,
I love the hair. I understand that itch to cut your hair off when it gets in the weird faze. Wait until it’s just past your ears. You met Mika and me when our hair was long. We both grew out hair out for a year and a half to donate it to Locks of Love. When it came down to giving my hair away, I almost backed out because I loved my hair at the point. But I realized that even if no one else cared what I did, it was a commitment I made to myself. And I couldn’t go back because then my word would mean nothing to myself. 3 years later, I would never take it back. I was able to support my daughter in her courage to get a mohawk. It was a fun experience for both of us. So push on Brian, I believe in you!
Thanks Kristie!!! We miss you! Call me!
He’s lucky he has curly hair. If it were straight the awkward phase would be much worse. I think he should allow himselftrims as it grows out to reshape it or change the style a bit. Way to go, Brian. Thumbs up.
I’ve grown out my hair many times, every five years or so I cut it all off. I think this is the longest I’ve gone, actually, without cutting it, which is to say that I’ve been through that awkward phase your husband and his hair are growing through right now (get it? growing through? words are so punny). Anyway, getting through the in between stage can be awkward, but you’ll get to the other side and then it will be no biggie. Pomade might do the trick. My husband has super curly hair, and has had success growing his out using Aveda’s Be Curly and their Brilliant Pomade. I used to be one of their sales associates, so I still go bonkers over “natural” hair products. Good luck!
Loveit! What a great thing to do! However, am I the only one who noticed that his shirt says obey and his hair is clearly refusing to do so lol
LOL no, another friend mentioned that, too!
I think that it looks great! I have unruly hair and I always appreciate it when a man begins to get a glimpse into what so many of us women have to go through on a regular basis to “tame the beast!” My sister and I recently shaved our heads with a St. Baldrick’s event in Oakland to raise money and awareness for pediatric cancer research and it was one of the most satisfying feelings! Just remind him that this is just a season and like you said, when it is long enough for him to donate it’s going to feel so wonderful and rewarding to cut/shave it all off in order to help a kid!
St. Baldricks! I just learned about that yesterday from other commenters! What a cool way to raise money for cancer research!
As an older woman I have a great deal of knowledge about what makes a man handsome. Heart, love of his woman and kids, a sense of humor and dedication to a purpose larger than himself. Unfortunately Brian has none of these, but looks smoking hot with hair or without. (oh alright he has the other stuff too – but let’s just get our priorities straight)
OMG I am going to die laughing right now! I was thinking, “Wow, this woman’s name is Diane Lane! How funny!” Then I saw the URL! LOL I love it…
At this length, I say go for the Mad Men slicked back look! (Conveniently it’s summer, so a nice dip in the pool could help with that most days!)
LOL I will tell him. I think he’s worried about looking like a creeper with slicked back hair.
I suggest he uses one of the hair pastes to style his hair. Just a little to help settle the texture and keep it from being poofy, but not too much to make it flat or slick. My husband John has a similar texture to his hair as Brian, and right about the time he is due for a haircut, it looks to be the same length that Brian has his now. John is always itching for a cut at that state, but to be honest, I think it is my favorite and I am always trying to convince him to delay his haircuts! Try out the paste- I think it works miracles!
(p.s. HI Jamie– it is me Lauren from Valley)
how did the project turn out? Thanks for the donation. As I 29 year survivor of childhood cancer I appreciate your effort in growing your hair. My wigs were horrid!
Deidre, your comment came at a perfect time. I think he is at around 5 or 6 inches and he is starting to get the urge to shave it again, but still is holding out because he knows this hair he hates so much on his head will be important to someone else one day. Your story will undoubtedly help him get through to the end. Halfway there!
I agree, I don’t really think Brian could look bad! Coming from a curly girl, he needs to get the book “Curly Girl” (yeah, I know, he is a guy but hair is hair), an learn how to love it! Lots of conditioner and he will soon have a head of gorgeous defined curls that people will drool over.
go Brian!!
Sorry, I missed this post earlier. I have curly hair and occasionally grow it quite long. The key I find is after my morning shower, I massage in a little Pantene Curly gel, brush it back away from my face with a very sparse plastic brush, then as it dries, I fluff it as needed with my fingers. Then I don’t touch it again all day. It stays out of my face, but curls up together nicely, and most of it goes to the back, kind of shaggy. A little bit like a 70′s Cat Stevens (not the 2012 Yousef). If it was a suggestion you were after, thats what I do. Good luck. You two are probably past that awkward stage by now.