September 9, 2011

The Boy I Hope Will Grow Up to Be My Daughter's Boyfriend

Student Council elections were held this week at my kids' elementary school.

I give my daughter major credit: she stayed in the race despite certain defeat. Her primary opponent for the position of classroom representative was a girl with pierced ears, a golden mane the length of the Mississippi River, and a celebrity father. Last year, an ad for the girl's father's dental practice graced the back cover of the school phone directory. This year, he's on the inside flap of the daily planners.

"Just do your best," my husband and I told her as we listened to her practice her speech.

On the morning of the election, my daughter was sick with worry: not that she might lose the election (she knew that going in), but that she wasn't going to get any votes.

"I will be so embarrassed if no one votes for me," she said a million times.

I had bitten my fingernails down to stubs by the time she got off the bus.

"Well?" I asked nervously.

She shrugged. "Jessica won," she said matter-of-factly.

Then she went on to tell me the good news. When the votes were being collected, my daughter happened to notice that the boy sitting at the desk next to her wrote her name down on his ballot.

That was the only vote that she got.

After my daughter skipped off happily to play, I dug through the kitchen drawer for last year's school directory and found the phone number for the boy who preserved my daughter's dignity.

And I called his mother and told her how grateful I am for her son.

37 comments

Emily said...

Oh don't you just love those kids? The nice ones? They may not get lots of props when they're young, but they soooo win out in the end. My brother has two autistic kids and when the first one (girl) had her first day at a real school, my sister-in-law was sick with worry that nobody would play with her, or they would think she was weird. She got a call later that day from a little girl who wanted her to come over and play--and my sister-in-law cried for an entire day about it. I love nice kids!

Wade's World said...

What a special kid! I have such a soft spot for kids that are willing to put out their necks for others. That vote probably made her day!

Deborah J said...

Several years ago my then 15 year old daughter invited a boy to the invitation only dance at her Girls School.

His mother rang me.
Apparently he was too shy to tell his mother but had his older sister do it.
It went something like this-
"Mum, a girl invited Stuart to the dance."
"Stuart knows a girl?"

She told me she had one of those moments...My son does talk to girls. Apparently they do like him. He will have a social life.

I was able to reassure her and let her know that according to my daughter he was very nice, talked to her all the time, and was funny.
She was shocked but relieved.

We do so worry for our children

Unknown said...

I have goosebumps all over. How wonderful.

Seriously... said...

i want to hug him. and i'm so glad she saw it. and good job calling his mom.

Anonymous said...

Sweet story, Jana, for your daughter as well as for you.

It's a refreshing change to see you proud of, worried for and protecting of your daughter.

More, please.

[Stacia] said...

Love this story and love nice kids!

Mom of 12 said...

What a great kid! It's pretty amazing how one person can change everything. I think your daughter handled the whole thing like a pro. You should be very proud...even if your pic isn't on the school planner.
Sandy
www.twelvemakesadozen.blogspot.com

Emily Heizer Photography said...

I'm going to cry.

That's the sweeest thing I ever heard.

At least today.

I think I'm hormonal.

Oh. honey. Give her a big hug for us.

Sniffle.

Mum on the Run said...

Oh - kids can be cruel, yes.
But mostly kids can be just beautfiul. What a champ that little guy is.
And good on you for acknowledging that.
He'll love having you as his mother in law, I'm sure.
:-)

Pregnant CityGirl said...

I love your blog! Im a new mummy blogger from across the pond in the UK and it's great to follow others to have inspiration! thx

Ashley B. said...

Oh! That just made me cry a little! So sweet. And smart boy.

Jennifer said...

I hope my son will grow up to be that kid.

kherbert said...

As a teacher - Nice kids out number the mean kids by a good percentage.

A couple of years ago I had just gotten a new student. He decided to make an impression by pointing out the "freak" wearing hearing protection.

2 GRADE LEVELS turned and let him know that WAS NOT DONE. Without the teachers saying a word he got an education about autism and sensory overload. He puffed up refused to apologize. Over the next 2 days he figured out that no-one was going to talk with or play with a bully.

He sincerely apologized to the boy and his brothers publicly. The other kids then started to play with new boy. If he lapsed into the bullying he was iced out till he apologized. Eventually he changed his ways.

Angie said...

I love this story. What a sweet little boy. And I'm not sure I would have thought to call the mother if I were you - great job on that one!

kate said...

so tender. and good for you for letting his mom know.

christine said...

That's sweet. What a nice boy.

Sara Lucinda Bell said...

I think it's great you called his mom. Now she'll swell with pride and tell him how proud she is of him for rooting for the underdog. He'll spend the rest of his life trying to pull people out of a rut and remember how happy he made someone by that one seemingly insignificant event.

Megan said...

Awww!! So sweet!
When my brother was in first grade, a girl in his class didn't make it into the talent show at school. He saw her crying at recess, and went over, sat by her, and asked what was wrong. He ended up playing with her at recess. When he told us, he acted like it was nothing, but I sure was impressed.

Anonymous said...

That was so sweet. Kudos to your brave daughter, and a boy who voted for her.

Heidi Noel said...

That made me cry. I am emotional right now anyway, but that made me so happy. There is good still out there where popularity doesn't matter.

mom24orsinis said...

I just...I just love this story...I love that boy, I love that you called his Mom, I love that all of us who worry and pray, as you do, for there to be just one...ONE nice child to DO the nice thing that so many of them are thinking of (but afraid to do)...

I am so happy for you and your daughter and yes: that's the kind of boy I hope your daughter dates one day too!! Thanks for sharing!

Pam said...

None of us want our kids to go through difficult experiences, but we know they will. There's no way we can protect them completely, and we're not supposed to. So, it's nice to know there are others out there that can soften the blows that inevitable come to each of our children. It warmed my heart a little to know that you called the boy's mom to let her know the positive influence he had on your daughter. Very nice post.

The Salamander said...

Like everyone, I adore this story. If it doesn't work out with Sweetheart Boy and your daughter I am officially bagsing him for mine. Quality lasts!

Four Winns said...

I'll bet that girl had been feathered, too.

Courtnie said...

he's a winner in my book! :)

Chrissy Jo said...

Oh, I love this. And I love that you called his mother! It's always so nice to hear about your kids doing kind good things even when you're not watching. Way to go, Jana!

Jennifer @ Also Known As...the Wife said...

That is incredibly sweet. Even if he doesn't grow up to be your daughter's boyfriend you at least know there is a caring individual out in the world.

Adrienne said...

Being the sister of a special needs brother, these stories make me emotional. These were the kinds of kids that created happy bright spots in my brother's otherwise very unbearable school experience being teased for looking different and having a harder time with lessons.

kate said...

oh, how sweet. So important to encourage niceness in our kids. So often overlooked.

Anonymous said...

aw..... super cute. gosh, running for elections in elementary school was so nerve wrecking. i was crazy to run against my best friend. and she won lol

Karen said...

What are you talking about Jana...YOU are a celebrity!!!

Leha said...

Great story you've shared.

My little brother, now 13, told me a few years ago about a new friend he made at school. It went something like this,
"there is a girl at school and she's not really, you know, that pretty and her hair is messy and she doesn't have many friends but I don't care, she's a nice girl so I am her friend." it melted my heart and made made me a very proud sister knowing that my brother was growing up with such a big heart.

snipsofsnailspuppydogtails said...

As the Mom of 3 boys, I hope with all my heart that they are doing those kinds of things at school. Sounds like the little boy voted with his heart and not with his pals.

Isabella said...

If you don't go after what you want, you'll never have it. If you don't ask, the answer is always no. If you don't step forward, you're always in the same place.



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Anonymous said...

Late in my reading as usual!
This was such a sweet story!
One of the first friends my 13 (then 10) year old daughter made at her then-new school was a little girl who uses crutches. She got tired of seeing other kids not giving her friend the "right-of-way", so she finally gave them the evil-eye. Now all the kids treat her with more respect.
It's nice to know my words don't always go in then out of my daughters' ears, ha!
Beth

Renee said...

That is one of the sweetest stories ever! I love that you called his mom. :)