The conversation began with her wondering if she could have a ball when she grew up. I informed her that she has more than 10 but less than 20 balls currently at our house. She clarified with saying that she wanted to attend a ball. Mark and I explained that we don't really have many royal type balls in this country but that she would likely attend many dances and a prom or two. She was very excited by this prospect and I asked her what kind of dress she would like to wear. She described two very different and very detailed dresses. One was a lace up top like Rapunzel has with a full (she said fatter) skirt like Cinderella's. It would be purple on top and pink on the bottom with pink shoes. The second, and more racy, was a skinny blue dress with a neck like this (she traced a rather deep V over her chest) and confetti sparkles. It would have a large bow on the back with different colored sparkles and she would have blue shoes. We discussed corsages and she was very adamant that it have a lot of green but that the flower should match her dress.
This brings me to our walk to school this morning. For the past week or so, we've come a little earlier and the before school care has let out at the same time as we arrive. There is a boy named Zach in her class that gets out at the same time as we are walking in. Each time they have seen each other Zach yelled Lily's name and Lily responds by shouting his name and then they both ask each other "what are YOU doing here" or "how did YOU get here?" They proceed to fall into step and walk in to the school. This morning Lily and I were at the curb of the school's sidewalk and just starting our walk to the door. Zach was at the meeting place already and he was looking around. Lily saw him, called his name excitedly and took off running. I had to chase her down with her backpack that I was carrying and grab a quick hug before she shook me off and bounded over to her friend. I heard him say that he saw her walking in. I couldn't catch the rest of the conversation but I watched them walk in to school side by side. He is a head and shoulders taller than her so he has to really slow his pace to allow her to keep up with him.
I stood there thinking that having a beautiful daughter is wonderful. I look at her sometimes and am taken aback at how big and bright her eyes are. I smile as a reflex when she smiles. She is truly lovely inside and out. I love her charm and kindness and wit. Then it hit me, boys will find these qualities just as interesting. And then I had the gut punch realization that they will notice sooner than later.
For now, I just want to savor the sweet innocence of a little boy waiting for a little girl in the morning before school. I also want to vote for the Rapunzel full-coverage dress for prom, not the slinky blue glittery number.
