Elizabeth at Catalyst

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Elizabeth and I had had a conversation about her ears getting pierced again. She has had them done twice and both times she got pretty bad infections and so they chose to let them close. My point of view is that under twelve just isn't old enough in the first place. She is almost 13. During our conversation I told her about a friend of mine who does piercing and that if it was okay with her mother I would take her. And then I promptly forgot.
Yesterday was Elizabeth day and she had not. She had asked and Tanya's response was yes, but she wasn't paying for it. So we switched gears and went to The Catalyst and talked to Rachel and AJ. Elizabeth got an education in how it works at their shop. They do not use the gun because the gun cannot be sterilized and it very traumatic. So if Elizabeth wanted Rachel to do it it would be done with a needle and she needed Tanya's signature.
Elizabeth said her mom would not come down. I wasn't sure if that was her way of saying I don't want to do this or whether that is what she really expected. I told her all she could do was ask. And we talked about it some more and then she texted. Tanya told her that needles were not sanitary. This lead to the conversation with Rachel about how everything in her shop is sterilized and the needles come sterile and are single use. Like Nana would take her some place not clean. She said she wanted her ears pierced and Tanya agreed to come.
So we walked up to the tea store and got some tea. Just killing time.
Tanya came and signed the paperwork and then left while Elizabeth was getting her ears pierced. Wow. Anyway Elizabeth opted for the hoops because they allow for any swelling that may occur. Elizabeth has a little bit thicker earlobes and most studs won't allow for any swelling. She got the instruction sheet and had it explained to her in detail. We had to pick up some wound wash for her to use instead of the crap they give you at the mall.
I knew she was serious when she still wanted her ears done even with the needle. That also told me that she is really old enough and ready for them. I'm sure she will do a good job of taking care of them. And if they get infected I hope she works through it by putting the rings back in. She got a lot of good advice from Rachel and AJ. Big kudos to them. We go back in four weeks for them to check her piercings. Yes they do it right at the Catalyst.