This is a bit embarrassing to admit, but I did not learn how to do a proper braid until I was 33. I got inspired while we were in Bali when I saw all these braiding services on offer on every street and alley we walked down. I admired all the braids by tourists who were willing to pay for these services. And so I looked up some quick videos on YouTube to teach myself how to do a proper braid and a Dutch style braid (it’s just a backwards braid that points downward). I didn’t have the patience to look at French or twisted braids; that seemed too advanced for me. Maybe one day if I had a daughter, I thought, that could be my time to teach myself how to French braid.

Well, I’ve done a few basic braids for Kaia once her hair got long enough; now, it’s very, very long. She tolerated them for a bit a year ago, and now, she can barely sit still for a pony tail with me. However, she always, always sits still for teachers at school who want to braid her hair. Lately, Ms. Anna, her Chinese teacher, has been indulging her and doing the most complex twists and double French braids in her hair. She comes home from school with these beautiful knots that are not only tightly wound, but also very straight and even. It’s clear when she prances around that she is absolutely obsessed with her hair-dos.

The other day, I asked her if she wanted her mama to braid her hair. She gave me a disapproving look.

“No, you can’t braid my hair, mama!” Kaia exclaimed. “Only Ms. Anna can braid Kaia’s hair!”

Welp, I guess I missed my window.