RAVE: A Kindergartner's First Valentine

My oldest child, Sofia is 5 years old -- pardon me, she would correct me here: she is 5 1/2 years old. And this year, she actually has a valentine who isn't me or her dad or her stuffed bunny. Her valentine is a classmate, Zach, who I guess I would characterize as her first crush?!? At school, the two of them play during recess and lunchtime. He brought her a bracelet from home, and she draws pictures for him. They save each other seats in the classroom, and have climbing competitions on the play structure. This week as she was making valentine cards for all the kids in her class, Sofia would decorate a special one and announce that it was for Zach. He told his mother that he has decided to marry Sofia since they like the same things and have fun together.

Some part of me wants to tell her that it's way too soon for her to have a crush on a boy. But, it's the crush of a five-year-old. It's not actually romantic. She's finding a best friend -- someone who she has chosen all on her own: not the kids of her parents' friends, nor a playgroup buddy, but someone with whom she has developed a friendship completely outside of her parents' influence or encouragement. She's found a friend who shares her interests, who makes her laugh, and who cares about her feelings. Isn't that the perfect formula for a best friend? And later -- much, much, much later -- for a real first crush.

R&R'ing,
C