Chosen

"Mom, I have a story to tell you." I am used to hearing this phrase from one of my daughters. They have gotten to where they just look for something to happen during their day so they will have a story to tell. Once everyone is sitting at the table, whoever is the lucky one to have had some sort of encounter or story to tell has the attention of every member present. Apparently, they all love being center stage in this house.

All eyes were fixed on the storyteller, while forkfuls of food passed their lips. The tale began. "After stage crew, I was waiting outside for Liz. Ben comes up and starts talking. He tells me he has a question to ask. He then says, 'would you mind going to homecoming with me?' I told him I would." (Okay, not everyone has honed their story-telling skills.)

"Why didn't you tell him you WOULD mind," I joked. "It's a good thing we bought you a dress yesterday," I added.

"So is he good-looking?" Sb's younger sister asks her. That is the all-important litmus test in her mind.

"Well, he's my friend. He's in the play. He's a nerd." Sb says this, all the while with a twinkle in her eye and a slight grin as if she's trying hard not to smile.

"Well if he's a nerd, then he's good-looking, just like me." Everyone laughs. That's such a dad thing. Yeah, he's a good-looking nerd.

Sb had planned to go to homecoming with some girlfriends. She isn't much into boys, although she does notice them once-in-awhile. I thought it would be nice to have a new dress to wear, new shoes too. But I think there is also something about being chosen. Something happens inside when a young man goes out of his way to ask you if you would mind accompanying him to an event. An event that you have a new dress, new shoes, earrings and necklace to match, hair done up nice-something a bit magical about it when you've been chosen too. She's looking forward to the dance, planning everything out,even if it is only a few days away.