Brienne's pierced ears

The story gets better... Since mommy couldn't stand to see her little girl in pain, daddy got to take her to get the deed done. We started by going to the Lewiston mall. No piercing place was to be found. Next stop was the Auburn mall. We went to the Piercing Pagoda, picked out a set of studs, paid for them to do it, and finally sat down in the chair to get ready for the fun to begin. Well... one look at her earlobes and the technician decided that they were way too small for the piercing gun. They refused to do it, told us to come back when she was older, and refunded us our money. Brienne got a very sad and disappointed look on her face, it almost melted my heart. The gears started to turn and... we headed straight to the Altered Image tattoo and body piercing shop in Lewiston. I knew that they didn't use piercing guns (they use REALLY sharp needles, kind of like what you would see on the end of a syringe) and they are experienced at piercing anything that resembles flesh. Well, it turns out they don't do piercing there anymore and so they referred us to another body piercing place just down the street called Professional Piercers of Maine, so off we went again... This time we found someone who was more than willing to help us out. In fact they do kids all the time, they had just done a 2 month old the other day. Needless to say, it was quite an experience for Brienne to be in a lineup of clients who were waiting for tongue, navel, and eyebrow piercings. I certainly hope this isn't a foreshadowing of things to come. Our professional piercers (one for each ear, done simultaneously to minimize the trauma) were very friendly and helped to make the process go as smoothly as possible. They also eat their own dogfood: The owner had about 20 earrings in one ear, a couple in the nose, one in the back of the neck, one at the top of his chest, and who knows where else. The other guy had several in the nose, cheek, lip, eyebrow and was showing off hiss newly split tongue. When they actually performed the deed Brienne flinched a little but came through like a trooper, awing everyone with her toughness. An experience I am sure none of us will forget!

Brienne, you are such a brave girl, I have no doubt that everyone in that shop was impressed with your courage. This is quite a momentous spring for you, taking swimming lessons AND getting your ears pierced. I too am wondering what all lies ahead in your future. With our love, always, Nana and Papa.

Well, so far she hasn't asked to do anything she hasn't seen you do, so you'll probably be okay when she's 15. :) She just wants to be like her Mom. I wonder how long that sweet stage lasts! I am reveling in it.