Amelia and Stella Kate playing Beauty Shop, age two.

Last night the Beauty Salon Amelia inherited from her cousin came out in our monthly toy rotation. Justin is her regular client in the barber shop game, since I’m usually terrified that all those little play combs will go into my hair and never come out again. But the girls and I were alone last night, so I stepped up to plate.

Lucy was fascinated with the chair, and insisted sitting in it in front of me. She played with the mirror and practiced calling me on her cell phone. Hi, Lucy, it’s mommy. Thanks for calling me! I pre-programmed. Amelia settled in to work her moves. This one is called the Magical Twist. Now for the Mah-velous Poof. You look mah-velous, she cooed. My hair grew in volume like a Chia commercial, but my mind stopped running around and took it all in.

Have you ever had your face stroked by a four-year-old? Gentle fingers brushed my skin in each attempt to gather my runaway locks, and it was like being touched by God. Pure love. You look mag-ni-fi-cent. How could you not believe it?

The running commentary is my other favorite thing about playing with Amelia. I longed for a witness to videotape as Amelia told me she was getting me ready for my wedding, and explained to me what she thinks marriage means. But there was no one else. Some moments you can only capture with memory. I stepped off the diving board and tried to feel every sensation. Toes entering the water. Lucy turns around to plant a kiss carefully on my lips. Being submerged with my hair floating all around me. Amelia applies ‘perfume for my hair’ like a serious artist channeling divine inspiration.

Every moment, every dive, is unique. Some you want to remember forever, free-floating hair and all.