For almost two years, 10-year-old Tyler Boone was always mistaken for a girl.
He’s been growing his hair for the past two years for a specific reason. Tyler has been growing his hair for a special person.
Tyler and his family are friends with Gabby Ruiz and her family and they often saw each other at parties when they still lived in Florida.
And Tyler was always curious why Gabby always covered her head.
“Tyler asked why Gabby wouldn’t take the [cover-up] off her head,” Tyler’s mom, Denise Boone told ABC News. “We explained that Gabby had a condition that wouldn’t let her grow hair.”
And do you know what Tyler said and did?
He said he would grow his hair long to make a wig Gabby could wear. And he grew his hair long for two years.
While his hair was growing, he’d often been mistaken for a girl. He didn’t like it but he’d gotten used to it. All he thought of was the end goal: a wig for Gabby to wear.
When Tyler was asked if he was sure, he just said that it’s just hair and his hair can grow.
It’s a simple gesture but it meant the world to Gabby, who was diagnosed with alopecia at four years old.
Alopecia is a disease where the immune system attacks the hair follicles. This usually results in hair loss, usually on the head and face. Hair can fall out in small, round patches or it can be more extreme.
Most people get it in their teens, twenties, or thirties. But there are people like Gabby, who get it at an early age. And it’s more intense for children diagnosed under the age of 10 years old.
When Gabby was younger, she didn’t mind the no-hair look. But this time it’s different.
“She’s been comfortable with herself regardless, but she’s at that age,” Emelia, Gabby’s mom said. “She’s about to be 13 and she wants something different. She’s excited to try [the wig].”
And Gabby is so grateful for Tyler’s generous heart.
“He’s a great person, he’s amazing,” Gabby agreed about Tyler.
But, for Tyler, it’s no big deal.
“I’m cutting my hair so I can give it to Gabby. I just want to make her happy,” Tyler said about his generous deed.
Tyler and his family were in Florida for the holidays and finally cut his hair.
They went to a local JCPenney store to get their photos taken and commemorate this special moment. This was also the moment when Gabby herself snipped off Tyler’s hair. Tyler’s mouth opened wide and couldn’t believe what had just happened.
He had been growing his hair for so long and has not had it cut for the past two years so it’s going to feel strange and light.
Then the two of them went to a local salon where the stylist could properly cut and style Tyler’s hair.
“I feel so different,” Tyler said when the stylist finished with his hair.
Tyler’s hair will now go to Children With Hair Loss, who will create Gabby’s wig. It should be ready within 6 weeks.
For Tyler, this might not be a big deal. But his parents are extremely proud of his actions.
“This is Tyler’s personality and it’s not something we encouraged him to do,” Tyler’s dad Jason Boone told ABC News. “They’ve been friends and Tyler has done some things [for Gabby] as acts of kindness.”
Watch Tyler’s transformation in the video below.
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