Hero Worship

It’s the 4th of July and I have a houseful of teenagers.  My eldest daughter’s friends are here until tomorrow morning, on their way home from summertime activities. It’s fun to be the house in the middle, the halfway point.  It means that we have had more company in the past year than in the previous 15 years of our married lives combined! I know lots of people complain about teenagers, but I like them.  They are full of energy and fun, laughter and teasing.  There is such a different air when they are in our house.

The funny part for me is watching #4.  She has quite the crush on her big sister’s bff.  He frequently declares her to be the favorite of #1’s siblings and treats her with the familiar teasing of someone who is frequently around children. It’s music to her shy little heart, and she sighs deeply when he walks by.  There is something completely wonderful in little-girl crushes.  It’s hero worship and romance all rolled up in rapt attention and big eyes.  She thinks he is wonderful and he doesn’t even notice it at all. He’s 17 and she is barely 8. 

He and his brother are at our house until tomorrow morning.  Long enough for my girl to sit in silent hero worship, and be teased into laughing a bit.  She’s unbearably shy and doesn’t often open up to older people, especially when they’re male.

Little girl crushes may seem such a small part of childhood, but they are, in fact, practice for the years to come.  If the boys who capture her fancy continue to be nice guys who tease, play and aren’t afraid to look silly?  I think she’ll do alright.

He played Pretty, Pretty Princess because she asked him to, and even wore the ear rings.