hair today, gone tomorrow

the very first time liam set foot in his new school last spring, his eyes were drawn to the pictures hanging on the walls of the front lobby at the time.  row after row showcased the dozens of boys who had participated in last year's fundraiser for the st. baldrick's foundation.  each student who participated had both a before and after photo -- the first with long, shaggy hair, and the second with almost no hair at all.  magellan is proud to have raised over a quarter million dollars over the years, which is quite impressive given its small size.

as soon as he learned what it was all about, liam was immediately on board.  he had the date of march 1st imprinted in his brain, and set out to raise money in the weeks leading up to the big day.  and on that cool saturday morning, we convened in downtown raleigh with the rest of the school at a private shaving event before the huge, public event started an hour later.

i couldn't bring myself to watch as his soft blond hair hit the stage, but his four grandparents and chris and susanna were all front and center as spectators.  he apparently beamed the entire time.

it's going to take some getting used to -- even now, a week later, i still find myself scanning the soccer field for him before i suddenly realize he's right in front of me.  and while i have to admit that i'm not a huge fan of this super short buzz cut, i do love to run my hands over his head.

i'm just hoping that that's the last he sees of a razor until next march.

before -- a lot shaggier than normal, for maximum effect

during (when he wasn't being interviewed by the emcee with a microphone)

after!

he's joined the famous wall -- second row from the bottom, second from the left