True love’s kiss now available, if you’re interested.
One of my real-life (and blog) friends had to have some unexpected surgery yesterday, so her five year old daughter ended up staying with me last night.
Now, I know what you’re thinking: no big deal, right? You run a ministry for little girls, for crying out loud.
Um, yes. That would be true. But a little girl? In my own care? IT IS DIFFERENT.
I picked Chandler up from kindergarten at 2:30 and, after a quick stop at McDonald’s, took her back to the Starlite office with me where she proceeded to color for the next hour while I blazed through my email. I had a meeting that I couldn’t miss, but never fear: our high school intern, Lauren, took over Chandler-watching duties while I met with President Bush to work on solving the nation’s budget crisis tried to figure out our lock-in schedule for the coming year.
We were able to sneak out of the office a few minutes before the end of the day, mainly because we have An Incredible Night Volunteer Team That I Love Because It Means I Get To Leave Before 9 p.m. At Least One Night A Week.
I’m sorry, but they definitely deserve caps. And, now that I think of it, cappuccinos, too.
We went home to play with the puppies for a bit and then decided to go back out for dinner seeing as the only food I had in the house (prepare yourself) was Special K, Jello and some green beans. Delicious, especially when combined together, no?
I’ll give you one guess as to where I took the kidlet, but I’m pretty sure you can figure it out on your own as long as you know the words “Cracker” and “Barrel.” It was there at our table in the corner of the room that my little five year old friend threw down the gauntlet:
“Miss Amy Beth, where is your husband?”
“Well, I don’t actually know. I’m not married yet.” Honesty: it’s always the best policy.
“You don’t have a HUSBAND? But you’re OLD!”
“I’m actually not that old, Chandler.”
“You look like you are.”
“Thank you.” Well, maybe it was a compliment.
“Who is your boyfriend?”
“I don’t have a boyfriend anymore.” OH NO. WHY DID I SAY “ANYMORE?”
“What happened? Did he die?”
“No, but we just decided that we wanted to be friends.” Friends that will never talk again, avoid each other in public places, skip the annual Christmas card… you know, friends.
“Did you give him a true love’s kiss? That’s what that girl from Enchanted did.”
“Well, yes, I did give him a true love’s kiss. Several, actually.” I’M SORRY, IT JUST CAME OUT.
“And he doesn’t want to give you a true love’s kiss back?”
“It’s kind of hard to explain, Chandler. But I want him to be happy and find someone else to give more true love’s kisses and he wants me to do the same.”
Silence. And then…
“Well, I hope you find someone to kiss soon cause you are old.”
I’m on it, Chandler.
Posted: September 25th, 2008 under Uncategorized.
Comments: 26
Comments
Comment from Stacy
Time: September 25, 2008, 9:19 am
Kids are so honest that it hurts sometimes!
Love your blog…love your ministry…love your heart.
Comment from Peapodsquadmom
Time: September 25, 2008, 10:23 am
Oh dear…don’t you just love the uninhibited tongue of a child?!?
Comment from debbie d.
Time: September 25, 2008, 10:32 am
good grief! if you’re old then I’ve got one foot in the grave!!! I’m popping breath mints RIGHT NOW!
Comment from Flowerpot
Time: September 25, 2008, 10:34 am
Kids. They are adorable. And bold with their thoughts. Chandler needs to meet with my daughter. Princess has been trained from a very wee age that the marrying age in our family is 26+. One day I will fudge on that, but until then I want to set her expectations. It takes time in our society to find a soul mate who hasn’t been completely polluted by a non-biblical worldview. Time, I say … and lots of prayers!
Comment from Maureen
Time: September 25, 2008, 10:38 am
Wisdom from a child’s perspective…gotta love it!
Comment from Mocha with Linda
Time: September 25, 2008, 10:52 am
Awww, if anyone but a 5-year-old had said that, they’d be pushing up daisies now, but that’s precious. So so sweet yet poignant. Hugs to you.
Comment from Jenn @ Casa de Castro
Time: September 25, 2008, 10:57 am
Outta the mouths of babes…
This is like reliving a scene from my own life! A dear friend of ours was hospitalized unexpectedly, and his wife was out-of-town. They had custody of their young granddaughter, and we picked her up from school and got her dinner, etc. until her grandma could home later that evening. Studly and I had been dating for about three months at this point. In the middle of dinner, little Angela looks at us and says (loudly): “WHEN are you gonna get married already?” A deafening silence fell over the table. We’d never even THOUGHT about discussing marriage at that point, and here it was being shouted at us. Awkward!!
Angela is 15 now, and we tease her about that every.chance.we.get. and then threaten to ask the same question of her in front of her new boyfriend. Turn about IS fair play!
Comment from Beth
Time: September 25, 2008, 11:05 am
oh my word that is funny!!!
Comment from Abby
Time: September 25, 2008, 11:30 am
Children are the smartest people on the planet!
Comment from Dawn
Time: September 25, 2008, 11:55 am
Ouch! Don’t you just love it when kids say what is on their minds? Kudos to you for not getting up and leaving her sitting all by herself at that table – now that would have been rude! : )
Comment from Shane
Time: September 25, 2008, 12:19 pm
No way! OK… think of the source. You are very young! And true love’s kiss comes from Jesus, right? I know, it’s not the same. But hang in there YOUNG girl!
Comment from Marla Taviano
Time: September 25, 2008, 2:11 pm
I have a couple Chandlers at my house. Humbling for sure. Especially when they see you walking around naked. Eek!
Comment from Kim
Time: September 25, 2008, 3:52 pm
LOL if she thinks you are old then I would be like a grandma to her 
Kids are FUNNY!
Kim
Comment from Chatty Kelly
Time: September 25, 2008, 5:02 pm
It’s all relative – you’re not old.
I am old.
Comment from Kira
Time: September 25, 2008, 7:48 pm
awww. AB! this is why i love little kids. They have such an amazing imagination. The things they come up with i swear..lol
Comment from Vicky
Time: September 25, 2008, 8:55 pm
1. Laughing so hard there are tears in my eyes. Gosh I needed this today.
2. You are not old. Because if you are old, then I’m ancient (27).
3. I love that she refers to it as “a true love’s kiss”. I’m thinking she’s seen Enchanted a few (hundred) too many times.
Comment from Kelly @ Love Well
Time: September 26, 2008, 9:21 am
This is so stinkin’ funny. My husband (who first got to see “Enchanted” during a sneak peak at Disney and has loved it ever since) will also enjoy this.
Hugs and kisses,
The geriatric 36-year-old Kelly
Comment from Ronnica
Time: September 26, 2008, 10:52 am
Oh my! I’m not sure which were funnier, her questions, or your answers! I love Enchanted btw and am still looking for my true love’s kiss…
Comment from Honour Annekins Harris
Time: September 26, 2008, 2:14 pm
I think this is my favorite post ever. Seriously.
Comment from Renee
Time: September 26, 2008, 8:31 pm
Hillarious – and yet heart piercing. I so well… know that heartache! Being one who didn’t find my Beloved until I was – ahem! OLD! You just hang in there! I once heard a Christian speaker (on tape – and of course I don’t remember who but anyway) who said “if GOD has put the desire in your heart to marry – then He will bring the right person along – b/c He wouldn’t put that desire in your heart unless He wanted to fulfill it” – I found that comforting while I was in the process of growing… OLD!!!!!!
And look at me NOW…. with 3 blessings and BELOVED in tow!
You just hang in there – it will happen – in GOD’s time!!!!!!
In HIM,
Renee
Comment from Bethany
Time: September 27, 2008, 4:47 pm
Oh my, she’s as bad as the children at my school- they are just so curious, aren’t they??!
Comment from Lora
Time: September 29, 2008, 12:09 pm
Psychoanalysis through the eyes of a 5 year old. They are BRUTALLY honest. Got a good chuckle while reading this.
Comment from Michelle
Time: October 1, 2008, 4:25 am
Oh my! This sounds familiar! I had some kiddies in my class ask me if I had children and they call me Miss P all day!!!
Comment from Robin (PENSIEVE)
Time: October 1, 2008, 1:02 pm
Dirt. If you’re old, I’m older than DIRT!
Darlin’ darlin’ darlin’ story…thanks for the smiles this afternoon .
Pingback from Ministry So Fabulous! » Just say no to kissing, especially a million times.
Time: December 22, 2008, 1:23 pm
[...] “Well, several times. But girls shouldn’t kiss boys…” Um, haven’t I had this conversation once before? [...]
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Comment from Diamond Hawk
Time: September 25, 2008, 9:17 am
LOL…
you’ve gotta love the way kids reason sometimes