Jill's Journal: It’s a date!

By: 
Jill Meier, Journal editor

I haven’t been asked out on a date in I don’t know how long. Obviously, way too long, since I don’t have an inkling of just how long it has actually been.

But the long streak came to a surprising halt on Saturday evening in nine words: “Grandpa! Jill and I are going out on a date!”

It was like music to my ears. And from that moment on, I was smitten with this potential new love.

The conundrum I have though, is Camden is a happy-go-lucky and not so shy 7-year-old, and the grandson of a longtime friend of mine. And although his grandpa gave me his “blessing,” I’m pretty sure the gap in our ages could be somewhat problematic.

For starters, I’ll always have to drive. At least for the next nine years, that is, if love can keep us together that long.

And I’ll likely have to pay for dinner and movies and places and events that couples like to enjoy together. Our dates would most likely be contained to the weekends. There’s no dating on a school night, you know.

I’m quite sure that I have a later curfew than my pint-sized prince, but an upside is that our budget for dates would likely be a trimmed with his ability to order off of the kid’s menu. 

You get the gist.

I actually met Camden for the first time on Saturday as we awaited his grandpa’s arrival to the surprise party his mother had planned for her father.

We had an instant connection. It was just a few minutes into our conversation that he asked if I liked horror movies. I told him that I did, but jokingly added that I prefer to watch them with someone else to help ease my fears. 

Our conversation soon ventured into the fun things he’s been doing this summer and his parent’s upcoming wedding. As one of the junior groomsmen, he was quick to inform me that he’d surely be a “sharp-dressed man” that day.

I couldn’t argue the fact. His cute little brown eyes paired with his bright smile made my heart melt even more.

As we awaited his grandpa’s arrival, Camden soon scampered off to play with his siblings. At 7, waiting patiently isn’t always so easy.

I, on the other hand, went on catching up with friends that I hadn’t seen for a time, and before we knew it, we were all taking cover to surprise the unsuspecting guest of honor.

As I was chatting with the :birthday boy”, my new love interest snuggled up beside me and proudly announced, “Grandpa! Jill and I are going out on a date!”

Although knowing this several-decades-between us-relationship isn’t surely going to work, we all giggled at the young “Don Juan’s” bold announcement.

And I went home that night with a smile on my face, knowing that even if my pint-sized suitor can’t even see over the steering wheel, this ol’ gal’s still got what it takes to reel a guy in.

* * *

Speaking of “reeling in,” I hope you’ll take in a game or two – or even all of them, for that matter – of the Class A State Legion Baseball Tournament that’s being played in Brandon this week and next. Post 131 takes the field at 8 p.m. Friday, but you’re going to want to be there for the 5 p.m. opening ceremonies that’s sure to be one to remember.

 

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The Brandon Valley Journal

 

The Brandon Valley Journal
1404 E. Cedar St.
Brandon, SD 57005
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