I just wanted to say I feel your pain, the EXACT same thing happened to me when I was a mom of a toddler (15 years ago). I had waist length, nearly hip. The rabid hairdresser said I looked terrible and needed "a few inches off the bottom". He cut me from waist to barely BSL and I thought I'd never get over it. Cried and CRIED, I so know how you feel.

Good news is you found a place where others can support you while it grows back.