"I have a crush on him, Mommy!" Katherine cried, bobbing up and down on tiptoe.
"I know! I can tell," I exclaimed, trying to let my voice mirror her excitement. "It sounds like he has a crush on you, too!"
"Oh, I know he does!"
"Hey wait," I interrupted. I was toying with the zipper on her backpack. "Did you remember to pack your spelling homework today?"
Pigtails swinging, she scampered across the room, scooped up her homework and flung her arms out wide before she continued, "he told me! He wants to go on a date!"
"A date?"
"Yeah," she said, pausing, "like, he wants to date me."
"Oh, well, um," I stammered, "maybe we could meet him at the park one day after school or something, but you're too young to date."
"What? No I'm not!"
"Okay then, tell me what you would do on a date?"
"Well, first we'd probably go out for a fancy lunch and then," her eyes lit up, "then we'd probably go to the library."
"Oh. That actually sounds perfect."
"Well yeah, the library is fun."
"Okay, but," I was casting about, searching for words, "but, um...oh! But you're not allowed to go on any dates until I get to know his mommy. Deal?"
She smashed her pigtails down under her bicycle helmet, fastened the strap under her chin and looked up at me with wide, excited eyes. "Okay, Mom," she agreed, pulling open the front door. Her foot was poised over her scooter.
"Hey, wait a second," I cried. "Come back here and give me a hug!" She turned and wrapped her arms around me, and I kissed the top of her pink plastic helmet. Then, with one hand resting on my heart, helplessly, I whispered, "Come straight home after school today, love."
*Finding the Bigger Picture through Simple Moments*
You handled that with grace. You parent with such grace! I would've yelled, then called someone's mom and yelled some more...then cried about yelling.
ReplyDeleteLOVE this. fancy lunch & the library. PERFECTION.
ReplyDeleteoh wow... really.. dates?! i think my heart would have crashed. but we always say it's going to be garrett who gets the broken hearts. addison will tell those boys where to go. and micah seems like he'll just be everyone's friend! can't we just stop time right now???
ReplyDeleteShe is lucky to have such a caring but flexible mother! Thanks for your great comment on my blog today, Roland
ReplyDeleteYou are scaring me! Does it really start this young. My boys so far are not interested, but I think you just gave me a glimpse of what it is to be a mother of a girl!
ReplyDeleteWow! My girls weren't thinking about boys at that age... if only that were the way it is when they get older! There's so much more at stake when they are older and listening to your daughter's heartbreak breaks your heart!
ReplyDeleteSo charming, Emily. You're a good Mom (you know that! :-)) I can just imagine the nervousness parents must feel - the thought of "crushes" and "dates" suddenly signal the start of a different era in children's lives. My son insists he is not interested in romance :-) He's 14 and thinks he has much better things to do. We keep thinking, let's review that after a couple of years. :-)
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I've been reading all your old posts. What a delight - you're a fabulous writer. Thank you for sharing your life. Hugs, Emily!
Oh, I wasn't freaked out! Do you guys really think she's too young for schoolyard crushes? Maybe she takes after me. I know I still haven't forgotten my first-grade crush on Johnny Rogers!
ReplyDeleteAt any rate, I thought she was really sweet, especially since the thing that's making them boyfriend/girlfriend is their desire to hang out at the library together!
Actually, I might suggest that date to Chris next weekend...
Awwww... very sweet! They do start way too young liking boys. I know I was six when I had my first crush.
ReplyDeleteYep, I was thinking, "like mother, like daughter" :-). I always knew who you had a crush on by the way your face lit up (and, oh, you did beam when you talked about Johnny Rogers!). I don't think you need to worry though -- I've never known anyone who was more level headed about boys than you.
ReplyDelete*sigh* they grow up SO fast! Don't blink or you'll be sitting in a church pew watching her walk up the aisle!
ReplyDeletehmmm... is this what she was doing at that playground instead of coming home after school?
ReplyDeleteD
Oh Dana, that *would* change the ending, wouldn't it?!?!
ReplyDeleteI stil remember my first grade crush :) And it will definitely be unsettling when my kids get twitterpated about someone, but my brother set the bar pretty high in that department: He wanted to buy *his* first grade crush a ring!
ReplyDeleteShe just sounds so precious and innocent still. I love it!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it bittersweet watching their worlds expand? It is wonderful to see who they are becoming, but sad to lose that stage where you/home/family have been their universe.
ReplyDeleteOh to be young again and feeling those feelings for the first time!
ReplyDeleteOh how sweet, and you handled it so much better than I probably would have. Screaming no and racing to lock her up in her room :-)
ReplyDeleteSo sweet. One of my boys is all fluttery about a little girl at church right now. Bless their little hearts. :)
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your time in Cambodia!!
ReplyDeleteOh, Emily, that is SO adorable! Thanks for sharing it with us...a sweet post that reminds me of upcoming Valentine's day!
ReplyDeleteWow, I remember my first grade crush too. One of the little 2 year olds I watch adores my 1 year old daughter. Way too young for "crushes," but when she cries, he's heartbroken and will try to hug her every time! And the library is a great date!
ReplyDeletetotally remember my first grade crush too.. stayed the same through 5th grade! no, i don't think she's too young. totally natural. my kids don't seem phased by it.. but there are a number of girls that have a crush on Garrett!
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a fantastic trip and do not need any of the packed meds!
ReplyDeleteGod bless, stay safe and have a marvelous trip!!!! :o)
this story is so sweet....thanks for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteyou are very blessed to be able to travel and live in other countries. i look forward to reading your older posts on your life in italy.
have a wonderful time in southeast asia! Vietnam is beautiful!
Reese
http://rambleswithreese.etsy.com
http://rambleswithreese.blogspot.com
It's so darn cute I can't even be scared that she has a crush! LOL!
ReplyDeleteHope you are enjoying your adventure.
Best,
Tina