Thank You to 'That Couple'

I don't remember being interested in boys until I was about thirteen. That's when the hormones, attitude, and finally getting to wear a bra kicked in. But kids now are starting so. much. younger. I am so thankful I have boys. I'm hoping that means less drama.

I'm pretty sure I'm safe with Micah, my 11 year old. His total lack of interest in girls 'that way' is great. We have a close relationship and he's very open with me. Except for the girl subject. Any time I go near mentioning a girl friend, dating or, gasp, sex! he freaks out and says he's never getting married. "Girls are too expensive. I want to have a science lab in Montana in the middle of nowhere and study things. You'll have to get grand-kids from the other boys."

Just in case you're not one of the 8 people who've been there.

Which brings me to a conversation we had the other day. Micah came home from school with a disgusted look on his face and rolled his eyes as soon as I questioned him. He had to sit next to 'That Couple' on the bus ride home. You know 'That Couple'- the ones that are in 8th grade and are sooo in love. They have special nicknames and giggle at how cute the other person is. Note to Micah, it doesn't get better- in high school and college there are more of them.

That Couple goes to a movie and loudly whispers sweet nothings back and forth the entire time. That Couple double dates with you and constantly talks about their perfect relationship. That Couple sits in public and gives the whole world a show making out. Ya know, the Heidi and Spencers of the world.

I was never part of That Couple; if you can believe it, I used to be painfully shy. But my best friend was and I got to be the third wheel on many of their dates. Talk about awkward. Like sixteen isn't a hard enough time to be a girl. But being stuck in a truck with mushy conversation and many near death experience because they couldn't be bothered to look away from gazing into the other's eyes was the worst. My parents thought their strict parenting was what kept me from getting pregnant in high school. Nope. It was That Couple.

So today, I would like to thank That Couple on the bus, for giving my little boy a few more years of disinterest in girls. Stick with your friends playing video games and riding bikes. Wait a little longer to grow up. Adulting is a lot of work. And then come the kids. You'll go from That Couple to a Daily Meltdown Survivor.  (See how I snuck in a plug for my shirt?) Happy Monday!

With Love,
Susanne