Daddy-Daughter Valentine's Dance

When Sophie and I went to Harris Teeter to pick up flowers, she wanted a red balloon, as she always does when we go to Harris Teeter. What is not obvious from the picture to the left is that she actually gets the balloons to 'save' them from the wire cage they're in at the store. At some point between the store and home, she sets them free, to go to balloon heaven or wherever freed helium balloons go. Possibly Atlanta if the wind is right. But the point is that we always bid them farewell and good luck on their journey. Then we watch them until they're out of sight.

My little girl seemed to breath life and soul into that red balloon.

The pretty picture you see on the left didn't come without some work. It started with the Red Dress fiasco.

I struggled so long and so hard with this dress thing. I picked up the first red dress last week at Kohl's (you can see a picture of it below). I couldn't put my finger on why I felt like returning it. It's beautiful! It's classy, it's elegant. It's not at all revealing, low cut, or in any way going to show much skin.

Yet my trusted fashion advisor, Mia, assured me that it was just a bit too "Mature" for Sophie: 

"Rigdon, just picture me in it!" she said. And then the light came on.

Mia would look fabulous in it! But she is a beautiful woman. Sophie is a pretty little girl. And even though Sophie is already at the beginning of her transition from a little girl to a young lady, I'm not in any hurry to rush her into or through that transition.

Sophie had set her heart on her "Red Rose Dress" from her Birthday Date last fall, which has been at Angie's house so long I had forgotten about it. And as you can see, it was perfect. Daddy’s heart just wasn't ready for the "elegant" dress. But when Sophie is ready for an "elegant" dress, Daddy will man up and be happy for her. 

Daddy is also glad that was not this night.

Our next order of business was dressing up! Ezra is already a young man, and a fine one at that! So it was less painful to see him in his dashing threads, although it did still tug at my heart a little. They're both outgrowing me! I'm including the "funny face" pictures of Ezra and me (you can see that picture on page 2). We can only make serious faces for so long before we have to let the goofy ones out! I Just don't know how that boy got so goofy.

Ezra was beaming with pride when we dropped him off at Angie's for his dinner with her. I couldn't be more proud of him!  He called at bedtime to report that he and Mom had a wonderful dinner at a Japanese steak house, and then some shopping. Somehow Taco Bell entered that mix as well, but undoubtedly, he had not only fulfilled his duties for the evening as a Young Gentleman, but had great fun too.

Then he called and asked, "Dad, can I have some alone time with you for Valentine's Day?" Of course he could. This year I told the kids that I was celebrating them as the "Loves of my Life" instead of being bummed about the whole divorce situation. In the hubbub of dinner and dancing plans for all four of us, I lost sight of the fact that he might want some one on one time with Dad. I'm honored that he called to say so.

In the meantime, Sophie and I were off to the Children's Museum for our "Butterfly Kisses Dance" date! We were very early, and as we approached the front entrance, a long line of patrons was exiting, so we stood to wait for them to pass. This was the first time that Sophie stopped traffic that night. Many of the ladies passing by stopped to compliment her on her dress, ask if we were going dancing, etc. Given Sophie’s electric personality, it didn't take long before there was a crowd blocking passage to and from the entrance to the Musuem. "Baby, you're stopping traffic!" I beamed.

Sophie responded with a hoomph, "It's not my fault Daddy, they wanted to talk!" That they did.

We had some time to read some books in the library and climb the beanstalk while we waited for the dance to start. This was one of the many super cool things about the dance. We essentially had a private party run of the entire Children's Museum! Pizza and drinks were served, both upstairs and down, but Sophie wanted to eat in the Enchanted Forest. She noted that the clouds above our table must be rain clouds, since they had water sprinklers in them. 

We did all the things on the list: a popcorn toss; we got a tube of bubbles; we made a frame to put our picture from the dance in. I think Sophie's favorite activity was the Sugar Cookie Buffet, where we got to dress our cookies with our favorite icing and sprinkles. I have to admit I was fond of this activity myself.

By 6:15 I was getting antsy to head down to the ballroom and dance. I was a little surprised that Sophie wasn't as enthusiastic. She loves to dance!

At home we dance around often, and she's still small enough that I can essentially toss her around, twirl her and dip her. I couldn't wait to do it under the starry lights on the dance floor!

This is where I nearly blew our entire evening.

We got to the ballroom and Sophie wouldn’t dance! I was so shocked. I was completely taken by surprise. And to be honest, a little hurt. 

"Sophia Ellyza! I've been planning this date for weeks, and looking for a Daddy Daughter dance for years, and now you aren't going to dance with me?" She got misty and wanted to leave. 

So we left.

We now had significant time to kill before our dinner reservations, so I took the long way and tried to suck it up. I’m 39 years old and I was pouting! I just didn’t see it coming I guess. 

When we got to the Bonefish Grill, Sophie stopped me at the front door and said, "Daddy, I'm really really sorry I hurt your feelings, I was just too shy with all those people watching."

Then she started to cry. 

And then I started to cry. (continued...)

 

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