Engaged

This week Ellie went to Vacation Bible School. It was the first camp like thing that she has done, and meant that she was away from mommy each morning all week. Drop off on Monday was sketchy to say the least, and I watched her hold back the tears. I was proud of her. As the week progressed drop off became easier, and it was obvious she was having a lot of fun. However, when I picked her up she was always very excited to see me and always ran to give me a hug.

Friday morning when Clair and I were waiting to pick Ellie up, I noticed she wasn't scanning the room for me as she walked in. And I noticed she was holding hands with the boy. Then I watched her kiss the boys hands. I was gob smacked to use the word David likes. I said, "hi Ellie, who is your friend?" In a very giddy voice she smiles and announces "we are engaged! "

Oh my goodness. You can imagine how I felt. I could not believe this had started so soon. Ellie had not really shown interest in boys, other than Owen from daycare years ago. But she never used words like boyfriend or engaged or kissing or any of those such affections.

I watch them as they ran around the room. Her fiancé ran to her seat and picked up her things for her and was yelling "Ellie, Ellie." It turns out his name was Owen too. They were both very fond of each other and having a good time. I was just in shock.

As the day went on I got the rest of the story. Apparently, in the big room, Owen kissed Ellie on the cheek and then got down on one knee and asked Ellie to marry him. It surprised me was that all the teachers seem to think this was cute. Perhaps I'm an old fuddy-duddy, but at their age I don't think they should even pretend to be getting married.

Needless to say this adventure has sparked many conversations with Ellie Including the one about when she can date, and when she can kiss boys. I tried to explain to her that she should not be kissing boys that she's not related to at this point in her life. She asked me when can I kiss boys mommy. I said, when you are 16. Ellie responds by huffing, crossing her arms and saying, "no way, that's way too old!" What in the world?

Later in the day we also had a conversation about what makes someone special, and how boyfriends and eventually her real fiancé needs to be very special. When I asked her what was special about Owen her first response was his name. We talk to bit more about this concept, and I guess it's hard to understand. As Grannie later said, I guess we better take keep her away from Wales. And so it begins.....