sad day for me and my hair

I accidentally find Lyo in 2013. She is working at a small, Japanese salon in my neighborhood. Great YELP reviews. And a special offer for first-time customers.

A couple of years later, I follow Lyo to another salon. And then a year or so after that  I follow her again to Blue Bocker, where she is now, and where she calls herself Lico.

I have finally found a colorist I I would follow anywhere. 



Lico is a small girl with immense talent. 

She never keeps me waiting.

Is flexible with her schedule.

And my hair is in her hands from the minute I walk in until I leave.

She takes my coat. (No fancy coat-check).

She offers (and then gets me) tea if I'd like some.

We discuss my hair color. I  ask her advice and then let her do what she thinks best.

Highlights sometimes (but not when my hair is too dry).

Lico is the absolute best head-massager. 

If I get my hair conditioned or some kind of shine added, she'll spend an extra 15-minutes messaging it into my head.

My shampoo with Lico is as relaxing, and probably as therapeutic as, a 60 minute body-message.

Today I see Lico.

She takes my coat, and walks me to her station. 

I settle in the chair and she asks, "Did I tell you my life-altering news?"

"No," I say. 

So I  guess. "Are you getting married?" She's been living with the same guy for awhile; they've been dating for five years.

She smiles and shakes her head. But I can tell she's really excited.

"Are you pregnant?"

"No," she says. And smiles this big smile.

"I'm moving to LA. I was there on vacation and loved it. We're moving the end of July."

I want to scream," OH NO!!! YOU'LL HATE IT THERE. THERE'S SO MUCH SMOG. AND YOU'LL HAVE TO DRIVE EVERYWHERE. AND THE TRAFFIC IS AWFUL."

But I don't.

I am happy for her. Lico likes the outdoors. She'll be slightly closer to her family who live in Japan. And she likes adventure.

"I'm 32," she tells me. "I have about 50 years left to try different things."

And, when Lico and her boyfriend get to LA (after she spends a few months with her family), she's not going to be a colorist She is going to make candles.

I have no doubt that Lico will be outstanding at anything she does. Either on this adventure, or the many others  she'll create for herself over the next 50 or 60 years.

But in the meantime, my hair is very very sad.