Henna is my love language

There’s something beautiful about leaving someone I love with an ornate stain on their hand for the rest of the week. Best friends, beloved cousins, other family members and clients will look down at their hand and remember me. They will also recall the time we spent together where we yapped and debriefed while personalizing their henna design to match exactly what they wanted. Each henna session is memorable to me in their own way, some obviously more than others, but they never fail to make me happy. And in each session, I put my time, effort, love and energy into doing henna, excited for each hand before me.

This Thanksgiving break, like most fortunate people do, I saw my family who reside far from me. I made sure that before I left I did henna on my two cousins and my aunt, who I love so much. I like that now we have those memories when we sat together and watched a movie while I did their henna. They have a reminder of me and our companionship, stained on them, not just disappearing into the past when they get busy with school and work in a few days. Henna fades eventually but lingers until next time. It is most rewarding when clients are happy with the design (a frequent occurrence), making the experience even more memorable with the image of a mandala or some vines on their skin. I also love to hear about how henna I did recieved so many compliments from strangers because it lifts me to know that I added to someone’s aesthetic and maybe even made them feel beautiful or confident or proud, especially if they’re so dear to me. Bridal henna artists (my goal but I am not qualified yet I feel) should be so proud of their work because it pays off on someone’s auspicious day, traditional and much more impactful.

To decorate your hand is an honor and to leave it with a beautiful pattern is my gift to you, as well as my way of reminding: “I love and appreciate you.”