Hey, I’m Emmanuel. Currently I have braids for my hairstyle. But, this was not always the case. When I was younger I had dreadlocks for my hairstyle. It was a common thing in the family. My brothers and uncle had them as well as my late father. Of course, at some point I cut them, but I had them for a large sum of my life. The furthest memory I have of having dreads was 3rd grade, though the memory is slight. For some reason my memory of my hair is nonexistent past that. I don't even remember growing my hair out. It is as if one day they just appeared in my hair. It is funny how memory works.

So my memory of dreadlocks begin at least in 5th grade. After that I have had them up until 10th grade. For that entire period they have just been growing. And honestly, I had no idea how to take care of them. Maintenance was difficult for me and they were a bother. In retrospect, I would have kept them if I was taught how to take care of them properly, but this never happened. And so on my 15th birthday I cut my hair off. It wasn't as dramatic as it seems. I know when people cut off their hair it's to signify something like change. But I just felt like doing something different. And they were also added stress, due to constant maintenance. Not to mention, retwists were not cheap at all.

I sometimes miss them, but I would never go back, no matter how much hair I have. I'm really liking the freedom I have with my hair now. Before, it was only dreadlocks or variations of them, now I can do anything.