DARN IT! This post should have a picture with it!!!

I did a HUMONGOUSLY bonehead thing today and I'm still kickin' myself!!!

After school today, the weather was SO BEAUTIFUL but it hadn't otherwise been a stellar day emotionally. I needed some sunshine. So when the kids got into the car I told them we were going for a snack at a great new place outside of town that's become somewhat of an icon destination. When we arrived, my youngest son's petite classmate was there with her little sister and her father, a man I have prayed for extensively but had yet to meet. He just returned safely from a tour of duty in Iraq. It was wonderful to meet him and finally put together all the faces of this family we've been slowly getting to know.

After introductions and a brief conversation, I returned to my own table mere feet away when I heard giggling. Little R, who I have taught in class as a substitute had written my son's name on the back of her kiddie menu. Justice told me "Mom, I'm about to do something funny, but don't get any weird ideas or think it means anything." (That cracked me up!) Then he drew HER name on his menu. More giggling ensued. The next time I looked up, R had added her own name alongside my son's and drawn a heart around them both. J reciprocated with the same.

I wasn't too sure how Dad was going to like this Kindergarten flirtation, but it was so innocent and absolutely adorable. Then R really shocked me. Her next message read:

"WILL YOU MARE ME?"

I can not possibly do justice to explain how cute she looked peeking around from behind her playful artwork, one big eye blinking in anticipation of a response.

Feeling clueless at missing all this in the past, I asked J when exactly R started feeling this way about him and he answered with completely unbothered swagger "oh, she always tells me that. And she tries to hug me all the time on the playground too!" (feigning disgust through a slight grin.)

I always thought such conversation at that age would FREAK ME OUT. But it was just so very innocent and sweet, the whole way it unfolded. When it came time for R to leave she skipped by our table with a giggle and tossed her menu, complete with picture of the two of them holding hands, at J. He gasped a big open mouth gasp while covering it with his hand, laughing.

I vowed to myself to bring the menus home and eventually scrapbook them, side by side to commemorate my son's first little crush. What a special event.

And then, after a trip to the restroom before checking out, I FORGOT.

Seriously, can you understand the depth of my regret?!!! I went straight from the little girls' room to the checkout, bypassing our table altogether. Of course it didn't dawn on me until I sat with my husband to discuss the day's events once the children were in bed! Can you EVEN UNDERSTAND how mad I am at myself?! Sure I can record it here for memories sake, but I could never ever recreate the adorably cute preciousness of their little crayola love notes! UGH!!! I even called the restaurant begging them to check the trash, but to no avail. (They WERE kind enough to try, but couldn't find it.) UGH!!! UGH!!! UGH!!!

O.K. and since this is my only opportunity to ever remember the entire true version of events, my son also wrote " U R Hot." Which he got from hearing my hubby say. And which I made him scribble out so as not to FREAK OUT this poor girl's dad so early in her growing up years. He did it to be funny and not salacious, but still. I was afraid that may scare father Marine more than any mortar rounds he's encountered overseas. :) I don't want my son being the very FIRST young man he has to tell "watch it!"

Also, R wrote "I wont you to pless love me." And no, this wasn't a sad statement of begging for co-dependent affection. No, I think rather that she was requesting that she be considered in lieu of another certain young girl who J has expressed interest in, with the explanation that she "has a really cool pink OU jersey!" Let me just say, that trumps absolutely all other feminine charms in our home. And these two girls are best of friends. I just love Kindergarten!

My son's first crush recorded in red crayola on the coolest kiddie menu on Route 66. Someone please write me a country song or something to redeem my ridiculous mistake!