I recently went to the hair salon. I needed my ends trimmed and wanted it washed by hands that were not mine.

The first thing I noticed when I went to schedule the appointment was price changes. About $10 more than they were the last time I booked an appointment. I get it, costs are high, but I had been preparing for vacation expenses and had been watching my spending. So, to save a couple of bucks, I didn’t do the usual wash and style; I just had her wash, blow-dry, and trim.

At the end of the appointment, I forgot how much it was since the prices were new.

I ask her how much it is, and she tells me.

I’m silent.

One part of me wants to say “SCOOOOORE”, knowing that wasn’t the price I saw on the website. The other part of me was like, let me remind her of all the services she did today.

I remind her that I got a trim.

She pauses, says the same price, and then adds, “Because it’s you.”

Those words hit me.

I don’t know that anyone else has ever said those words to me.

I wondered what those words said about our relationship that I may not have fully understood.

I had so many questions. Like, what about me made you do this?

But I just thanked her, paid, and left.

It made me think about how that simple kindness, for no apparent reason, affected me so much.

It made me want to practice “Because it’s you” behavior, even if I don’t say the words.

So, I’m going to do just that.

Will you join me?