Who the Heck is Michael?!

What is in a name anyway?

Today was a day of firsts.

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

Her first boyfriend. At her first grade valentine’s party at school too.

I guess it had to happen. And I have to say - pretty good timing.

You see, she came home with a school artwork of a broken heart made out of glue and construction paper and to be honest, I didn’t really pay much attention to it when I went through her book bag the stuff gets put into to categories :

1. Keep

2. Toss

I kept the heart and some other stuff and tossed it into the box I have in the basement for her artwork from school.

Later this evening, she mentioned this art and replied that I saw it and also:

Who the Heck is Michael?

Well. If I had looked closer at this little project I would have seen names written all over the heart. It was the usual suspects like DAD, and MOM and even the dog gets an honorable mention but today their was a new name on there.:

IT WAS MICHAEL

So, as a concerned parent I asked again:

Who the Heck is Michael?

It turns out there’s been some new seating rearrangements in school and now she sits across from a Michael. Apparently these two go way back to the good old days of daycare but I have no idea who the kid is because it’s hard to keep track.

But that’s not all. She’s now sitting beside other boys too! She came home with toys and cards from both boys and girls.

She had a valentines day party. With all her classmates

How is a father supposed to cope with this?

Also:

Who the Heck is Michael?

Oh, right.

It’s 2026 and she’s seven and her world is expanding. She can be friends with whomever she wants - boy - girl - nonbinary - whatever - as long as she’s safe and happy.

I have one rule when the time comes and Michael or whomever comes over…

Just Don’t Call me “Bro”.

Also if he/she brings donuts that goes a long way too.

Until Next Time,

TH and Co.