It was late afternoon. I picked up my daughter from school and we talked about her day in the car. It was an ordinary conversation about what she is learning in math and science, as well as sprinkles about her adventures on the playground with her friends.
As we enter our home, she sheds her uniform and puts on a pair of pants and floral t-shirt. She is singing, “La-la-la, Sing a Happy Song, Smurf your whole day long.” It is a catchy tune and I start humming along while I attempt to fix something to eat. On this particular afternoon, after she devours her snack, she announces, “I have something to tell you Momma.” Her eyes are glittering even though her pupils are pitch black. I love witnessing this exuberance. Usually, when she has something to tell me, it is these three words, “I love you.” But this afternoon, she surprised me.
“Momma, I want to marry you.” She grins wide as she makes this statement.
“You want to marry me? Why do you want to do that ?” I reply, knowing that she doesn’t really understand the word “marry.”
“I just love you so much Momma that I want to marry you.”
“Oh, my, that is so sweet.” I give in to my laugh, while my insides feel a pinch of sadness.
My daughter has no idea what the word marry really truly means. She equates the word with love. It is a reminder for me to enjoy these afternoon days of singing and witnessing her innocent exuberance.
Because eventually she will understand the gravity of what marry means.
{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
Awe, that is so sweet. My Daddy who is now 82 still reminds me that when I was little I wanted to marry him.
SuziCate recently posted..A Cut Above And Beyond
Cherish those days…because when middle school arrives…hoo-boy!
TheKitchenWitch recently posted..Identity Crisis
So sweet…both my boys wanted to marry me too
Cute!
ayala recently posted..Outside My Heart
That is just so sweet. That memory will last forever!!
Tiffany recently posted..My Heart
Now another take on this theme might be the heiros gamos or divine marriage that is symbolic of integrating the opposites, metaphorically about the union of a god and a goddess (so why not a mother and her daughter?), actually an alchemical symbol of transformation. Sometimes our children know deeply of what they speak, loving on a plane actually above, and not below, the consciousness of romantic love. As KW says, do cherish it, for it’s not often that the theme of heiros gamos constellates, much less plays out, in middle school
Privilege of Parenting recently posted..Computer Shooter on the Couch
This is precious. I recall one of my sons telling me when he was little that some day, when he grew up and married, he would build a house for himself and his family in the backyard so he would always be close.
Ah, but those things change… Bask in the Little Kid moments! They are very sweet, indeed.
BigLittleWolf recently posted..Oldest Newlyweds Offer Life Lessons
I wish that Bella didn’t equate marriage with boys/boyfriends, thanks to preschool, she tells me all the time that she’s going to marry so-and-so and she’ll be his wife and they’ll have some babies. She thinks marriage = a best friend who’s a boy and lives you. It kinda is, though we all know it’s so much more.
Kelly recently posted..The Beauty of a Bean
That’s so sweet, Rudri. I love the purity of her reasoning and thank goodness for the children who aren’t so fascist in the way they approach marriage.
What a sweet and tender story, Rudri . . .makes me think of the time one of my grandchildren asked me if I would still be living when he graduated from college. When I mimicked mental math calculation and said, “I sure hope so,” he smiled and happily continued working on a school project. Little children bring such joy . . .
Trish recently posted..FREEDOM RIDERS
You have a wonderful little girl. Such a sweet moment, one to hold onto as she grows older.
C @ Kid Things recently posted..My Heart, Bullied
Scoop up that kiddo and hug her forever!
rebecca @ altared spaces recently posted..i want you to want it
That is very sweet.
)
Nikole Hahn recently posted..Finding The Right Step
Well, that is one of the sweetest thing I have read in a while
Cindy recently posted..Animal Therapy Can Make Wonders
And what a testament that is to you and your husband – that your daughter equates marry with “bursting with love.” Beautiful!
Jane recently posted..Curses You, George Vernon Hudson!
It’s so sweet how kids want to marry their parents. Thanks for the well wishes on my SITS day this week!
Missy | The Literal Mom recently posted..5 Ways Blogging Improves Life
That is so sweet! My son used to say that to me and would get jealous when his dad revealed to him that mommy was already taken
And then one day his 6 year old best friend confessed that he’d wanted to marry me when he grows up, rather than his mother. It was funny and sweet at the same time. I love the kids’ innocence.
Sadly, my son doesn’t propose to me anymore…(he’s just turned 8).
Cecilia / Only You recently posted..Constructive Criticism
OMG your daughter is the cutest!!
Classic NYer recently posted..On anger (or Scenes from Married Life)