Picture day is always a special event for parents and students alike.
It’s that one day when everyone tries to look their best, knowing that this photo will be a keepsake for years to come.
But when it comes to younger kids, especially toddlers, parents often carry the pressure of making sure their child looks perfect for the big day.
Nicole Bartlett was no exception when it came to her three-year-old daughter, Alina.
Like any proud mom, she wanted her little girl to look her best for her first-ever picture day at preschool.
Nicole carefully dressed Alina in a beautiful outfit, made sure her shoes were spotless, and even took extra care to style her hair, complete with a pretty headband.
In her mind, everything was set for a picture-perfect moment.
“It was her first picture day. I got her up a little early and explained to her it was a special day,” Nicole told People.
“You get a little bit of hairspray and hair gel. I had really high hopes.”
Nicole usually had Alina wear her hair up to school, but for this special occasion, she decided to let it down so it would frame her face beautifully in the photos.
Everything was planned to perfection, or so she thought.
However, when the photos were delivered a few weeks later, Nicole’s dreams of a perfect picture were hilariously shattered.
What she found was a picture of Alina smiling sweetly, but her hair had completely transformed from neat and styled to wild and messy.
The carefully crafted look was gone, replaced by a head of big, unruly hair.
Alina’s joyful grin remained, but her hair seemed to have had a mind of its own.
Nicole was baffled at what could have caused the chaos.
Even the teachers were confused, as Alina’s hair was perfectly fine earlier in the day.
They could only assume that the lively preschooler had spent her time running around and playing, which led to her hair turning into what can only be described as a frizzy masterpiece.
Alina’s photo session had been scheduled for 9:30 a.m., and Nicole had assumed her daughter would head straight to the photographer after getting off the bus.
Unfortunately, with some time to play before the photo, Alina’s hairstyle didn’t stand a chance.
Initially, Nicole was a bit disappointed and even considered asking for a retake, especially since she had planned to send these pictures as Christmas gifts.
But when she realized retakes weren’t an option, she accepted the situation with good humor.
What’s more, Nicole’s family and friends reassured her that the photos were far more memorable than any perfectly posed shot.
In fact, her family joked about how funny it would be to pull this picture out years later, perhaps even at Alina’s wedding!
Her friends encouraged her to post the photo online, and though hesitant at first, Nicole eventually shared a before-and-after shot of the school photo.
To her surprise, the post quickly went viral.
People from all over the world couldn’t get enough of Alina’s delightful school picture, praising her for still wearing a big, bright smile despite her wild hair.
Alina’s photo is just one of many amusing school pictures out there – and let’s face it, they do make the best stories!
Watch the video below to hear Nicole talk about her daughter’s unforgettable school photo!
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