I also have had long hair twice now - both times down to mid-bottom ribcage.
First time I grew when I was in secondary school, and grunge was big, which I shaved off.
Second time was just cause I missed it, and got cut short just for the change.
Third time it got to chin length, then I shaved down to a #1, where I happily keep it.
Long hair used to coincide nicely with the music for me - you like heavy metal, you have long hair, it's one of the "rules".
Nowadays, Im a bigger metalhead than ever, and I like it skinned. I also have missing teeth and wear doc martens (shoes, not patent leather monstrosities), so I look a bit of a thug (unintentionally, believe me).
I wouldnt mind my really long hair back, but I'd have to take care of it, it was a disaster of split ends and poofyness last time.