30 Days of Gratitude: Day 14

This story begins with hair rollers. 
 
Not just any hair rollers — sponge rollers! The kind that leaves your hair tight and super curly. Remember those? 
 
(If your memory is foggy, let me help you out.)
 
Remember the pink sponge hair rollers that your mom used before bed to look fabulous on Sunday morning for church or a birthday party, or just maybe a family reunion? Her hair was nice and tight, and she was ready for a Kodak moment. 
 
We all have that one hairstyle that we love that’s been done with perfection by a professional hairstylist, and we try to recreate it ourselves at a cheaper cost. 
 
Several years ago, my best friend was getting married, and I fell in love with a hairstyle intended for her wedding. I marveled at this hairstyle, and I tried to keep it neat for as long as I could. I wanted that full and luscious curly look to last forever if it could. But gravity wasn’t on my side, and eventually, my Marlon Monroe look was gone. 
 
About 14 years ago, still young and fresh out of college, I thought about that iconic look, and I wanted it back. I was determined to recreate that hairstyle to wear on an interview I was having in a few days. It was perfect timing. 
 
Though the hairstylist used hard rodding rollers for my friends’ wedding, I thought to myself, “Surely it would look the same with soft sponge rollers.” 
 
That interview was huge. It was my first interview in the professional world, and I was determined to go in with a pristine look. If I wanted that teaching job, I knew I needed to look the part and play the part. So that’s what I did. I rolled my hair the night before with pink sponge rollers with anticipation to see the finished product the next morning. I laid out my black suit, black pumps, and jewelry to match. I was ready.  
 
The next morning, I took my hair down, which was flawless in my mind —I was pleased with the results. Smiling, confident, and double-checking myself in the mirror, this was the big moment I’d been waiting for. I sprayed on perfume, grabbed my purse, and walked out of my apartment, feeling like I was on top of the world. 
 
I arrived early at the school, and I was escorted to the principal’s office—pun intended—I introduced myself.  I told myself, “This is your time to shine. You’ve prepared for this interview, so show him you’re the right candidate for the job.” I could tell that he was professional, yet stern, but also compassionate. He had a love for education that was contagious, which resonated with me. As he started asking me the common interview questions: Why do you want to work here? Are you a team player? What makes you the best fit for this job? 
 
It was now or never—it was my time to shine. As I rattled off my answers, I felt confident.  And I was hoping he felt confident in me too. 
 
He said, “I liked all of your answers, Ms. Carter.” He paused and phoned his secretary for additional paperwork. As his secretary walked in, I turned to greet her. When she walked out, he looked at me strange. He sat back in his chair, trying to find the words to articulate what he wanted to say. I was confused, nervous even. He motioned with his hand to the back of his head. I was even more confused and freaked out. I said, “What is it?” He took a deep breath and said to me, “Ms. Carter, you have some hair rollers in the back of your hair.” 
 
As I touched the back of my hair, I had three pink rollers sitting comfortably at the back of my hairline. I was mortified and lost for words. I took a few seconds to gather myself, and I said, “Pardon me, sir, I had no idea I left those in my hair.” 
 
(I thought to myself, I double-checked myself in the mirror twice!)
 
He said to me, “Those things happen. You got the job.” 
 
I’m thankful that I can reflect on an embarrassing moment that gave me a positive outcome.
 
What are some of your embarrassing moments?