Young Love

While Heather was at work, I took the kids to the church's nursery so I could attend a meeting. As we left for the car an hour later Norah informed me that she "wasn't sure who she was going to marry." As I was drove she told me she met a handsome boy today in class. My eyebrow raised as I asked his name. In the rear-view mirror, I could see her forehead furrow with concern as she replied "He was wearing a red shirt, but he didn't tell me his name." This sent Justin into a tailspin, because he didn't want her marrying some stranger. I asked if he was nice to her, and she said yes, so we got going for us, which is nice.

She told Justin that she would find a prince and she would become a princess. Justin loudly protested, "But I dah Prince!" They argued for a couple miles until I delicately interrupted and informed her that she was only 4 years old and it was a little early to worry about husband selection. She shouldn't worry too much about it until she's been to school, graduated high school, and college, gotten a masters degree, and a PhD, excelled in the job market for a few years, done some volunteer work, pondered the meaning of life, and taken some time to relax and see the world (not necessarily in that order). Heather and I should both be prepared for her courtship, dating, engagement, and marriage in oh, say about 40 years. You can't hurry love.

I stated all of this with a calm and genuine tone, so the complete lunacy of the statement was entirely lost on both kids. I continued to explain how some day they would grow up and meet someone that treats them well, fall in love, get married, move out of our house and eventually might become a Mommy or Daddy.

Norah: You mean we have to leave our house?

Daddy: Well, yes.

Norah: Then I'm not getting married!

Justin: Me either!

Daddy: I guess that settles it. We'll talk about rent and responsibilities later.

Norah and Justin have been instructed to let me know if they see this handsome boy in the red shirt again. I need to keep an eye on him. We also need to verify what hue of red we're talking about due to our genetic allergy to crimson.