A woman walked into my salon in tears. Her son’s wedding was just hours away, and she had only $12. Trembling, she whispered, “I don’t want to embarrass him.” Her words held more than worry about appearance — they carried the weight of not feeling enough. I sat her down, promising she’d feel beautiful.
I styled her hair and carefully applied her makeup, giving her the elegance she deserved. When she offered me the crumpled bills, I smiled and said, “This one’s on me.” The next morning, I found flowers, a heartfelt card, and a spa gift certificate from her son. His note said I’d given his mother more than a makeover — I’d given her joy.