Our daughter, Lauren, was just a few weeks shy of turning 13 and had been talking frequently about the value of getting a cell phone. While many children her age had them, we’d been discouraging her on that particular move for various reasons.
During this stretch we had also talked quite often about dating V.S. courting, and why it would be to her advantage to wait until she’s older, should she choose to date at all, and why she should definitely wait should she go the courting route :). I would always joke with her that she could start driving and dating when she was 30 or 40. To our relief, she was not interested in either at that point. However, she was quite infatuated with the cell phone concept. So, though she fully understood and respected our decision to not get her a phone at that time, she would still talk about the idea quite enthusiastically.
We had just left our oldest son’s football game and were heading for Target, one of our children’s favorite places to browse. It was a beautiful morning. A bright, sunny, over-the-top family day of hanging with my kids. My wife was away that morning, so Lauren was riding up front with me.
As we’re driving along, out of the blue she says, “You know, when I get a little older, I’d like to get a cell phone. I really think it’s a good idea because when you have a car accident, they really come in handy.” I paused, glanced over at her, smiled and said, “So, you plan on having an accident?” Giggles, “Poppy, you’re funny. You know what I mean, they just really come in handy if there is an accident.“
“Oh, I see. So how old do you plan to be when you get one and have this accident, like 40 or so?” More giggles and a roll of the eyes... “Poppy! No.” A slight pause, and then a revelatory smile, “I just want to get one when I’m like 30 and I start dating so I can call and tell you what time I’ll be home.”
Oh, boy... I suddenly realize I’ve met my match, and then some! I see her smile that smile of "touché", as she gives a cute roll of the eyes, and I’m gone – and the craftiness of her strategy begins to sink in. I can’t help smiling to myself, neither can I stop myself from admiring her development as a young woman. She has her mother’s wit, charm and beauty, and she loves her dad more than anything. What can I say, I’m hopelessly blessed and totally hers. She’s Daddy’s girl for sure, and I’m definitely Girly’s dad!
We drive on. She gazes out the window, and I wander off in thought, further admiring the fine person she’s becoming. It’s certainly one of those “please stop the clock here” moments. I want to hold on to this day with everything I've got.
I think I will.
During this stretch we had also talked quite often about dating V.S. courting, and why it would be to her advantage to wait until she’s older, should she choose to date at all, and why she should definitely wait should she go the courting route :). I would always joke with her that she could start driving and dating when she was 30 or 40. To our relief, she was not interested in either at that point. However, she was quite infatuated with the cell phone concept. So, though she fully understood and respected our decision to not get her a phone at that time, she would still talk about the idea quite enthusiastically.
We had just left our oldest son’s football game and were heading for Target, one of our children’s favorite places to browse. It was a beautiful morning. A bright, sunny, over-the-top family day of hanging with my kids. My wife was away that morning, so Lauren was riding up front with me.
As we’re driving along, out of the blue she says, “You know, when I get a little older, I’d like to get a cell phone. I really think it’s a good idea because when you have a car accident, they really come in handy.” I paused, glanced over at her, smiled and said, “So, you plan on having an accident?” Giggles, “Poppy, you’re funny. You know what I mean, they just really come in handy if there is an accident.“
“Oh, I see. So how old do you plan to be when you get one and have this accident, like 40 or so?” More giggles and a roll of the eyes... “Poppy! No.” A slight pause, and then a revelatory smile, “I just want to get one when I’m like 30 and I start dating so I can call and tell you what time I’ll be home.”
Oh, boy... I suddenly realize I’ve met my match, and then some! I see her smile that smile of "touché", as she gives a cute roll of the eyes, and I’m gone – and the craftiness of her strategy begins to sink in. I can’t help smiling to myself, neither can I stop myself from admiring her development as a young woman. She has her mother’s wit, charm and beauty, and she loves her dad more than anything. What can I say, I’m hopelessly blessed and totally hers. She’s Daddy’s girl for sure, and I’m definitely Girly’s dad!
We drive on. She gazes out the window, and I wander off in thought, further admiring the fine person she’s becoming. It’s certainly one of those “please stop the clock here” moments. I want to hold on to this day with everything I've got.
I think I will.