Today I spent time with another lady other than my wife. I’m telling you it was great. Here’s the crazy part, it was even endorsed by my wife. A lunch date with another woman. Okay, truth be told, it was a little woman, none other than Grace Madison Gowesky. We were having a daddy, daughter date.
Before heading out on our date I had tweeted this, “Taking Grace on a lunch date. Its gonna be all fairies, princesses and ponies.” It wasn’t far from all that. We had a great time together. I asked her questions and then just listened. I spent time listening to the one in our house who probably uses the most words but gets listened to the least, being the youngest. It was fun to hear some of the things she said.
I asked her what made her happy… Man that response was awesome. “Being on a date with Daddy.” After wiping away the tear, I quickly responded with, “any other guy that wants to take you on a date has to go through me! You got it?” She said her favorite princess is Tiana. Why you may say? “Because she wears a green dress, and it’s my favorite.” I asked her what she likes to do, “Color, dress up, pretend” The conversation flowed much like that.
We sat and enjoyed time together. It was quick, too quick, yet it was really good. I sat and listened. I became a student of my daughter. I wanted to see what it was that made her tick at this point in time in her life. It all could change by tomorrow and that’s okay. Tomorrow her favorite princess could be Sleeping Beauty, she could hate coloring and love playdough. Then tomorrow I’ll need to become a student all over again. I learned a lot. Plus we had a great time for enjoying lunch for $4.01. (Bj’s hot dogs!)
For a brief moment in time I understand Grace, and she understands one thing for sure; I’m her daddy and I love her and think that she is beautiful and amazing just the way she is.
So here’s the question… Who in your life do you need to become a student of? What questions should you be asking, and who should you be listening to?
~Peter