And They Called It Puppy Love.....

I think I have finally lost my mind. Not just part of it, but the gosh darn whole thing.

After work tonight, I thought I would stop by my local mega-store to pick up a few items for supper. (A few items turned into a $75 shopping trip. I really hate when that happens) As I am finishing up, I notice their Valentine's display and realise that I have TOTALY forgotten about this card manufacturers/ chocolate makers day. I need to pick up my pre-teen son some cards for his class mates. Had too. Seeing how he had been asking me everyday for two weeks, and I kept forgetting or putting it off. I had too. There wasn't much to choose from, but after going through all the Hanna Montana's, Cars and Princes cards I finally found one that I thought was age appropriate. I decide to call my almost fourteen year-old and let him know that I was going to be late and before I knew what I was saying I asked "Did you want me to pick up some Valentine cards for you?" 14 year-old "Uhhhh, no, that's okay" Me "How about a stuffed animal or something for Kelsey?" Really? Seriously? Did I just ask my son if HE wanted ME to pick up a gift for his "girlfriend"?

I stopped in the middle of the isle I was in....holding my breath....hoping he actually didn't hear what I had just said, or that my cell phone would cut out. No such luck. "Really? You would do that?" You could almost see the smile coming through the phone. The question being, would I do that? HMMM let me think, no I really don't want to...that must have been crazy Mommy speaking.....'cause sane Mommy is thinking, I must be really losing it.

I don't mind doing things for my children, but buying a 14 year-old girl a small token of my sons affection....ewwwwww. I started to think that maybe it was too early for "kids" this age to start giving small gifts. I guess not really. I remember being in grade eight and receiving a flower and some candy from a boy. So maybe it isn't that premature after all. Maybe.....

I didn't really have an issue with the act of purchasing such a memento. It is more with the fact that my child wishes to give the memento. As I start to breath again, I cough, Z-man asks if I'm okay...."Ummmmhuuu" I manage to verbalize. "Really Mom? Thanks, I wanted to get her something, but didn't know when I would be able to go out. I'll pay you back." "Alright" I agree, a little light headed from holding my breath. "The max is $20. And that's with a card." I'm now shivering with the thought that I now have to pick out a card too.

He gives me a brief run down on what he does and does not want. I now spend the next half an hour going up and down the row looking for something befitting a young teen girl. Now I am lost..... Nine stuffed creatures later I end up with a pink fuzzy lion with a flower....simple easy no hearts or the word love. Perfect. I head for greeting card section, lets just put it this way...I thought I had a challenge with the gift, the card was even worse. Twenty minutes later I emerge with a generic card that has no suggestive meaning, or the word love. Perfect. I am victorious. WOOHOO

I get home, I unpack the goods. Z-Man is standing beside me watching as I take the stuff out of the bag and place it on the table. He holds up the stuffed animal and giggles and tells me that it was a pretty good choice. He looks at the card, reads it a couple of times, flips it over and back and says "Should I sign it Love Zack?"

Oh no you didn't just say that...............Not so perfect after all........

I quickly and politely, in my "Mother knows best voice" say...."Ummmm No. Just "Zack" will do nicely" "Oh, Okay Mom, Thanks for your help here is your money"

I flop down on the sofa and open my laptop and begin to blog. I guess my boy is growing up. I feel old. Not old like my Mom, maybe just older. I know there is no way in hell that my mother would have done that for me. Or even though of offering to do it. Was I crazy? Or is this just part of being a mother today? Have I lost it?