A Man Among Women

The emotional barometer goes up at our house when anyone receives an invitation to a birthday party.

The recipient of the invitation reads aloud, raising one clever eye brow at his brother, as if to say, “Are you hearing this?  Are you listening to the fun I will enjoy and you will not?  Because I’m basking in it.”

They each get their fair share of invitations, so this routine is fair game.  The non-recipient has learned to sit quietly and remember fondly the last time he was the holder of the goody bag of birthday treats.

Plus, the non-recipient gets a date with mom during said birthday party.  It’s a win-win.

Tuck has been invited to the birthday party of one of his classmates, and there was a small note tucked inside:

Dear Tucker’s parents:
Our daughter really wanted to invite Tucker to her birthday party, but we want to let you know that he will be the only boy.  We’re having a cookie decorating party, and we would love to have him join us.  We just wanted to let you know about this guest list before he arrives.

Now that is very thoughtful, that right there.

“So, Tuck, this note says you’re going to be the only boy at the birthday party.  How do you feel about that?”

I kid you not: his face beamed with radiance.

“The only boy?!  Sure!  I’ll be the only boy!”  He said that last sentence with a tone of, “Sure!  I’ll sign up for that!”

He’s eager to tell all the other boys in his community that he will be the only one at this party.  I asked him not to, as this could cause some complications for the birthday girl.

But I am most pleased with my son.  Way to be the kindest boy she knows, Tuck.  She wants to decorate cookies with you and all her girlfriends.

And your daddy would say, “Way to go, bud.  Always go to a party where there are more girls than guys.  The odds are totally in your favor.”