“So Brayden, I hear you think I look like I princess,” said my daughter Faith to our young neighbor.
Brayden gulped and sat up in his chair. “I, um did I say that?” He looked at his mom in panic and gave her the mini eye roll for letting the cat out of the bag.
It was no secret that Brayden adored my ten-year old daughter, but this was the first time he had been caught in the act of his crush.
Faith gave a tinkling laugh and tossed her long golden locks over her shoulder. Four year-old Brayden looked dazed as if fairies had dusted him with smitten powder. He squared his shoulders and looked at his dad with newfound determination, ready to slay dragons and fight for his princess.
“Dad, I don’t think we can be friends anymore,” Brayden stated, now serious and reflective in his demeanor.
“Why not bud?” Brayden’s father Tyler replied.
“Well dad, I don’t like boys anymore so we don’t have anything in common.” Braden suggested.
Tyler nodded his head and played along with his boy, “its ok bud, we can still be friends. Because guess what? I like girls too! That’s why I married your mommy.”
Brayden looked relieved. “Oh that’s good dad.”
Tyler looked at his son with a proud smile and recognized this was the big moment Brayden needed to court his girl. “Who are you going to marry Bray?” he asked.
Brayden took a deep breath and owned his intentions, taking his first bold step towards manhood. “I am going to marry Faith!” he exclaimed with a swoon and a giggle.
And the table erupted in glorious laughter and a bit of wistfulness.
Because we all remember our first crush.
Poignant. Powerful. Piercing.
It made every day better just to catch a glimpse of our beloved.
Later that evening Faith tucked our little pajama clad Romeo into bed and read him a book.
And without a word, his contented smile and beaming face told the story of his heroic romance.
