Not just a trim

The wedding haircut

Photo by Tim Mossholder

Michael runs the barbershop in my neighborhood with his two brothers. Sometimes, if he’s busy, I get a haircut from David or the barber known only to me as “my baby brother.” But more often than not, I’m in Michael’s chair yukking it up and idly watching whatever soccer match is on the tv.

When you’re getting a haircut, you have just enough time to remind each other of everything you said the last time and then it’s time to leave again. So we’ve been talking about the same wedding details for months.

How many people are coming, what’s on the menu, and, of course, the haircut I’ll need before my wedding.

When I walked into the shop today, Michael had a customer in his chair, but one of his brothers was ready to go. He pointed me toward empty chair until I explained to him that this was the haircut. A shy smile crossed his face and he said, “Of course.”

To the naked eye, it’s really no different than any of the other haircuts he’s given me, and it probably wouldn’t be any different if his brother had done it, but I could tell Michael was taking his time, that he was proud to be plying his trade for an important occasion.

At the end, he sent me home with some pomade as a small wedding gift, and a promise from me to return with pictures. Michael and I don’t really know each other, but we have an understanding, and today it paid off.