"Will you go out with me?"

It was fourth grade.  I was ten years old.  Double digits--I was so mature.  I even had a friend in sixth grade, so I must have been mature beyond my years.  And lucky for me, the boy I thought was cute was her neighbor.  We played often.  He may not have been the first boy I thought was cute ( I had a crush on Nate Howard in first grade and Chad Wallinga in second grade. . . and Zeb Craig thought I was something special in third grade--I know because his fourth grade brother told me. . .daily.) but he was the first to reciprocate the emotion.

Danny Hielman was the first boy to "ask me out".  Of course I said yes!  Which gave me lots of privileges. . . like sitting with him on the bus. . . and getting followed around the playground at recess. . . and of course he only threw the ball at me during dodge ball.  

But I was a shy little thing and all the attention embarrassed me.  So after two days I called it all off.  I broke up with him on the bus and beat a hasty retreat.  It nearly killed me to do it--he was pretty cute, but I didn't want people to KNOW I thought he was cute.  That was just embarrassing!  

Not long after that he moved away without even telling me he was going.  I was crushed.  I blamed myself.  Why else would he move away, unless due to his broken heart and inability to see me every day on the bus and not be my "boyfriend"?  

But this story isn't about me.  It's about fourth grade. . . and crushes.  

My daughter is in fourth grade.  And while she doesn't have a crush, it seems these days it is cool to have a boyfriend/girlfriend.  A club has been formed.  Many of her friends have joined.  It's the "Boyfriend/Girlfriend Club".  And you only get to join if you have one.  

Hannah, not wanting to be left out, quickly said, "Oh, I have a boyfriend.  He lives out of state.  His name is Tanner."  She is so in the club now, that quick thinker.  

As a parent I really wanted to say, "Who cares what they think!  You are waaay too young to have a boyfriend.  Tell them you don't care about their silly club."  But of course I remember fourth grade.  These are her friends--she cares.  

Plus, it's fourth grade.  Things can't have changed that much since I was there, right?  So, as a curious parent, I asked, "What do they do, you know, as 'girlfriend/boyfriend'?"

"They hang out together at recess.  The whole group of them."  She answers.

Sounds innocent enough.  At this point, Rob (Who was also present) asks her, "Do they hold hands?"

To which she quickly replies, "Why would they do that!?"  With shock and confusion on her face.

We tried not to laugh out loud.  And we were almost successful.  With relief we had our answers.  Things hadn't changed that much.  

And neither had Rob.  He immediately threatened to call Tanner--her "out of state boyfriend," who was our neighbor and her good friend were we used to live--and tell him all about his upgraded status.  

Because really, what kind of parent are you if you don't harass you kids a little now and then?

Do you remember your first crush--or your child's?