Daughter #1 has had many a Daddy/Daughter date, to the point where they have seen the inside of a restaurant way more than my husband and I have alone together in the past nine years. It's rare that Daughter #1 and I have time alone, much less an outing at a restaurant.
So, over powdered donuts and bacon (her) and grits with sausage gravy (definitely not her), we played the American Girl version of "Would You Rather...."--which is far nicer than the typical rising 4th grade version that has some truly gross possibilities. (Daughter #1 enjoys a match with anyone over anything!)
We talked about if it would be nicer with no siblings or 10 siblings. We both had pros and cons. (She has one sibling; I have 3 sisters.) Would we rather eat out every day or at home every day. Again, difficult to pick just one. Even choosing between dancing or singing in front of 10,000 people was a tough call. I figure you can fudge dance steps, even though Simon Cowell would undoubtedly say, "The dancing--if you could call it that--was hideous." Daughter #1 was more ready to sing, having just sung at the YMCA (though not by herself and not for more than 25). ("How about doing "Y-M-C-A" with hand motions in front of 10,000?!")
As she's entering the second half of her pre-adult years (yikes!), having special time together is a real blessing. You find out a little bit more about who she is, what she likes, what she still needs to know, and how much you don't have in common. (What do you mean you like cats better than dogs?)
And, in a strange capper to the day, the father of one of Daughter #1's classmates called to ask if I would work on the Barack Obama campaign. He said when his daughter talked up the candidate at school that Daughter #1 was one of the most obvious and vocal supporters of his campaign.
"Really!?" I said, having told him that I was undecided. (And too busy with the PTA. I actually have his wife's former volunteer spot!!)
I'm not sure which one of us was more surprised.
Guess Daughter #1 and I need to go out again soon. ("Hey...Panera for bagels tomorrow??")
Comments
This special times will be treasured by you both. My morning walks with my big girl have opened up lots of conversations and things that I want to share with her, versus having her pick up at school (like who to vote for...nah.)
Treasure the days. As someone put on my blog - it is a series of long days and short years.
When I spend time with my 12 yr old it is usually him telling me about the complex issues of motems, routers, computers and everything that makes them work and how they work. In other words, he usually loses me as soon as we get past what e-mail is.
Nevertheless, I love our one on one time.
P.S. Gotta go with Chatty Kelly on this one...Go John McCain.
P.S.S. I think that is why there is a saying about never talking politics...haha. Could have been worse...Hilary!!
Vonda