His smile softens to a grin as he nods.
"She was. Is, actually. It's a compromise we both thought was suitable, given the circumstances."

Aang pauses, turning his attention out to the water once again. His tone is a touch more thoughtful, though it's far from the one he uses during lessons.

"We're living at a delicate point in history, Tenzin. Where our actions now will have consequences we can't possibly predict into the future. It's thrilling and scary and wonderful all at the same time. We have the power in the here and now to affect the lives of all that follow after us in the paths we're blazing before them.

A lot of Air Nomad culture was lost during the war, and I'll be the first to admit that we're making a good deal of it up as we go along...and that's okay. It's good even, because it gives more meaning to the things that we do, and the traditions we choose to follow.

We didn't cut your hair because we were looking to punish you, or single you out, Tenzin. And we certainly never intended to separate you from your Water Tribe heritage. Your mother and I agreed that cutting your hair was a suitable way to connect you with the past. Your past. To the masters whose forms and lessons you'll be learning."

Aang turns back to his son.

"Do you understand?"