The Season 3 premiere episode of Return to Amish is called “Judgment Day.” And Moma Mary Schmucker is in for a boatload of judgment from the Amish church. While visiting former Amish girl Kate Stoltz in New York City, Mary defies the church’s rules and gets a makeover. First she has her nails painted. And then she braves a haircut. Mary explains: “When she [the hairdresser] took my cap off and took out my hairpins, I so much wanted to run out the door.” But she didn’t.
Kate Stoltz sat by Mary’s side while she had the inches cut off. “It’s a big step for Mary. She’s defying one of the rules,” says Kate, who knows what it’s like to defy the Amish rules. “Going against the church rules is going against everything you’ve been taught your entire life.” Breaking the rules has worked in Kate’s favor; will it work in Mary’s? Return to Amish airs Sundays at 9pm on TLC.
