Photograph by Sarah McCosham
The big 4-0 is fast approaching, and most days I feel surprisingly calm about it. Most days, I recognize that reaching such a milestone is a gift.
Most days, I understand that such an age is befitting of where I am in my life: a mom of four kids who are all potty trained but not yet driving; a full-time writer with a career I’m incredibly proud of; a daughter to two sets of healthy and active grandparents; a homeowner and minivan driver and proud pet mama.
Most days.
Photograph by Sarah McCosham
I’m not perfect. Some days, my upcoming birthday sends me spiraling into the depths of a full-blown existential crisis. This was the case on a recent Saturday, when I found myself with an entire weekend all to myself, listening to Taylor Swift’s “Midnights” on repeat, and feeling the lavender haze creepin’ up on me. I sat with this feeling and decided that getting up and out of the house was necessary.
I had some online orders that needed returning, so Kenwood Towne Centre it was. (Perhaps it was a subconscious decision; this mall was where my friends and I hung out in high school.) As I left Athleta, I noticed a colorful shop across the way that I’d never seen before. A red “R” that looked like a Google Maps icon piqued my curiosity, and I approached the glass doors of Rowan to investigate.
Rowan, as I learned, is a female-founded business that provides safe ear piercing services. Instead of the overly “girly” and kitschy mall kiosks that perform piercings quickly and often very publicly, Rowan employs licensed nurses and uses the safest practices and highest quality materials. Approached like a medical procedure (which it is!), Rowan does not use piercing guns; rather, nurses offer needle piercings and piercings by special hand pressurized devices—and all of the earrings are made of hypoallergenic, high-quality materials.
I learned this by talking with Rowan’s very kind receptionist—and I was intrigued. While walk-ins are permitted, my sensible, almost-40-year-old-self opted to book an appointment for the next day, which was very easy to do via the QR code on the store’s front door.
Photograph by Sarah McCosham
At home, I reviewed my options and decided to go for one “mid helix” piercing on my left ear. I liked the idea of something small and pretty, and found a small, yellow-and-white-gold star that spoke to me. On the morning of my appointment, I received a text reminder to arrive 10 minutes early and bring a card; Rowan studios are cashless.
When the time came, I pulled my hair into a ponytail, donned my favorite Taylor Swift sweatshirt, and headed to the mall. Check-in was a breeze, and I soon found myself sitting in a chair, having my ear cleaned by a very kind and personable nurse named Alisa.
She chatted with me while prepping for my piercing, which helped calm my nerves. Not only is Rowan woman-founded, but it’s woman-led, too; this is a place that celebrates strong women and piercing as a form of creative expression (same!).
My only experience with piercing was at one of the aforementioned mall kiosks when I was 12; a machine that looked like my dad’s nail gun was used and I was sitting in the storefront window on full display. Not at Rowan. For starters, I sat in an area toward the back of the shop, which provided a welcome sense of privacy. Because the Kenwood facility just opened, needle piercings were not offered the day I went, so Alisa prepped her device, which was small and unintimidating.
If you’re curious about needle piercing, Alisa explained the process. Ears are cleaned and marked; single-use, sterilized, and razor-sharp hollow needles make a clean cut as they pass through soft and cartilage tissue. The hollow needle is then used as a way to painlessly place the earring (Rowan’s “flat back” earrings are a game changer!) in place. As a result, this method is super quick, quite comfortable, and optimal for healing.
Photograph by Sarah McCosham
My entire procedure took just a few minutes and was honestly painless. I left with instructions on how to care for my new piercing and contact information for the nurse hotline, which is staffed by Rowan nurses and a policy to respond to all queries within 24 hours. How refreshing! (For the record, I have had zero issues with my piercing—and I have super sensitive, allergy-prone skin.)
Photograph by Sarah McCosham
Photograph by Sarah McCosham
Maybe this whole experience seems silly, but I love my new, “mid-helix” piercing. It’s a tangible reminder that I’m here; I’m present; and that life still holds so many experiences and surprises.
And also, maybe I’m still a little bit cool. Just don’t ask my kids.
Rowan Kenwood Towne Centre, 7875 Montgomery Rd., #2411, Kenwood
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