He sold his gas can and took me on a date. Well, it didn’t exactly happen that fast, but it happened. This past summer, Jack, with his eye for the unique and vintage, acquired a gas can. I half expected it to stay around awhile–along with the antique rollerskates hanging in the bathroom and the plethora of Coca-Cola memorabilia and cameras piling up in his room.
But, two weeks ago, he was offered a trade–and knowing a good deal when he sees it, that trade turned into a $35 sale that led to one of the most lovely nights of my life.
It started with a note cleverly stashed under my plate at dinner. When we finished with our family meal, he asked if he could take my plate. (Clearing the table is one of his FTF’s–For the Family’s–his family job that he does just because he is part of the family). I carefully opened the note. One Paddington Date Night (Mom and Jack) on Friday, January 12, 2018 *dinner and a movie – Love Jack
“I’m paying for it, Mom.” The homeschool part of my mommy-ness that would have normally been aghast at the handwriting and capitalization errors, sat stunned and overwhelmed.
My husband confirmed the deal. As an early birthday present, knowing my adoration for the loveliness of the first Paddington movie, Jack wanted to take me on a date to see Paddington 2 on opening night.
Due to inclement weather, we had to postpone for a night. We wouldn’t make it opening night, but assuring Jack opening weekend was perfectly fine, we bundled up and set out in the cold the following evening. As if this gesture weren’t enough, he opened my car door and after he made sure I was carefully tucked behind the wheel, ran around to hop in the passenger side. (For real! He opened my car door and would continue to do so for the rest of the night!)
Our first stop, Blue Coast Burrito–it’s close to our house and one of our favorites. As I exited the car, he offered me his arm. (Be still my heart!) We ordered and he paid–pulling the cash he earned from the trade and sale straight from his Legend of Zelda wallet. After he pulled out my chair, we ate and talked about our day. He offered to take my trash and then we were on our way!
He stood at the counter studying the prices and said, “Get whatever you want, Mom!” I debated, but as I am currently avoiding sugar, I asked if it would be okay if we shared. “Of course, Mom. Whatever you want.” Two tickets and a box of Junior Mints later, we were snuggled up in the center of the theater.
We laughed, commented on scenes that were similar to the Paddington game he had downloaded on my phone for me, and darn near cried at the absolutely precious ending. He escorted me out of the theater, opened my car door, and said, “Mom, what I love about you is how you love sweet little things like Paddington and your macarons.”
He doubled his gasoline can for a date night with his mother. He could have bought a new video game, figurine, or whatever else he was into at the moment, but he chose to give me a memory. Sigh . . .
So, yes, Jack, I do love sweet little things. I love you so very very much.
