The Kid has a cute little boyfriend. They met in 5th grade. At first I was appalled…they were only 10! But as I’ve gotten to know the kid, I’ve grown to like him more and more.

This past Friday, Cyd had her first school recital with a couple of solo spots in the Beginning Strings program. Max came along with us to support her. Since Cyd had to get there an hour before the performance, the rest of us stood in line waiting for the doors to open. In ones and twos, Cyd marched her classmates up to Max, giggling and fidgeting the way girls do, and pointed at him. Sometimes she’d actually introduce them. Other times she’d simply point, wave at him, and run away. He’d wave back with a shy smile on his face, then stick his hands in his pocket and stare at the ground.

Me: How does it feel to be on display?
Max: I kinda figured this would happen.
Me: You did? That’s pretty astute.
Max: She warned me in the car.
Me: And you’re ok with this?
Max (shrugging): What am I going to do?
Me (after some thought): You’re an OK kid, you know that?
Max: Thanks. I try to be.
Me: Keep your paws off my daughter or you’ll be a DEAD kid, k?
We laughed.

Later, during the recital, a parent of Cyd’s classmate, whom I see most mornings while waiting for the school bus, asked me if Max was her brother. “No,” I said, “that would be her boyfriend, Max.” He blinked. “So she really does have a boyfriend?” I squinted. “Yes,” I replied. “Doesn’t your daughter?” “No,” he laughed, “I think she’s a little too young.” “I thought the same about my child,” I smiled, “until I met him.”

He stabilizes her and puts a smile on her face. He texts her that he loves her, and they secretly hold hands when alone but refuse to walk next to each other in public. They are completely comfortable around each other and enjoy the same things. His parents are wonderful people and I enjoy spending time with them. The kid’s a gentleman, a smart cookie, a very patient guy who isn’t afraid to be the only boy at her birthday parties, and genuinely cares about her and wants to protect her from bad things. He wants to get a job as soon as possible, maybe as a race car driver or fireman or doctor.

The perfect son-in-law, in about ten years.