You see, a few month’s prior, Megan’s doctor had diagnosed her with Carpal Tunnel. She was told to wear a brace, limit use of her wrist, and if that didn’t work, schedule surgery. As a hairstylist, that was the last thing she wanted. But after the day’s events, the defeat in her face was clear to see. And his heart broke for her.

The next day at work, he was venting to his boss (who also happened to be his best friend) about the situation. They were in the middle of remodeling a client’s waterfront property. They were up on ladders, installing drywall, and honestly…completely unaware that the homeowner was there, let alone overhearing their entire conversation. He apologized for listening in, but then he said the last thing anyone expected to hear…

“I can’t take out her braids. I can’t stir the soup. I can’t text. I can’t even brush my own hair. It hurts too bad!”

We’re taking you all the way back to 2016. Picture Dr. Rossi (as well as you can picture a complete stranger), a young father of two in a quaint, 1920’s home near Seattle, Washington on a gloomy, fall afternoon. His wife, Megan, is home with the kids, working on removing some box braids from their 5-year-old Ethiopian daughter’s hair, while simmering a pot of soup on the stove top. He walks in the door to the cartoons blasting, but barely drowning out the tears. His daughter is sitting in the salon chair in the living room with half her braids removed. His wife is standing in the kitchen with a wet face. 

Naturally one would assume that the ladies were arguing about the hair (if you have tight, natural curls, you get it), but tonight it was something entirely different.