Two ornery boys. 15 months apart. God help my soul.
Yesterday I was at Pay-Less (which, might I add is known as Kroger everywhere else but here in our world it’s called Pay-Less. Let me tell you that this is the biggest misnomer I’ve ever seen because you certainly do not pay less at Pay-Less. Excuse me. Needed to get that off my chest.) grabbing just a few things that I needed to make the scrumptious Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches. Yes. Again.
I also picked up a set of Colts plates, napkins, and cups because, well, they are in the Super Bowl on Sunday and I thought it would be fun to have for our friends coming over tomorrow night.
Holding four bottles of buffalo sauce, plates, napkins, cups and one PowerBar (I was starvin’ Marvin, for sure), I stood behind a young college student who was one darling boy.
I live in a Big Ten college town. There are loads and loads of students around us at all times. Living five minutes from Purdue, I have accepted this as a reality and actually, most of the time, I enjoy it.
They usually just ignore us locals and go on their merry way slapping each other on the back and calling one another “Dude” while adjusting themselves. The girls are usually clad in Uggs and carting cell phones. Hair in ponytails and “Oh my goshes” all around.
It’s OK. I was one of them about 16 (large inward sigh) years ago.
As I stood clutching my goods, this young college boy said, in the cutest southern drawl I may add, “Ma’am. You sure have your hands full. Please go ahead of me.”
What?!
So I did and thanked him profusely for his kindness. Then I realized that while I had my purse, I did not have my wallet. Might be problematic when it was time to actually pay for my items.
I looked at the sweet boy (don’t I just sound like Great Aunt Joan?) and said “Looks like you are going to be able to go ahead of me after all because my wallet is in my car and I have to go back out and get it.”
To which the sweetie pie replied “Oh, ma’am. I’m so sorry. If I had enough in my account I would buy them for you.”
What?!
I went out and got my wallet. My sauce and paper goods were purchased. I thanked the sweetie pie again.
I watched him walk out of Pay-Less and thought, “That’s it.”
That’s how I want my boys to be.
I don’t really care if they are the smartest in the class or the most athletic or the most of anything.
I want them to be gentlemen. I want them to call women “ma’am”, men “sir”, and open car doors for their dates or me or their sister or their grandmothers.
I want them to pull out the chairs of women they are dining with. I want them to wait for her while she gets out of the car and walk with her side-by-side.
I want them to protect women. But most of all, I want them to respect women. And I really want them to do it even when no one is around to watch because it’s the right thing to do.
I have been told that boys who are respectful towards women most likely had a mother who showed them how to do so and didn’t let them get by with a sassy mouth and other disrespectful behaviors.
Watch out, Sawyer and Solomon. Sorry about your luck. You’ll thank me one day. I promise.
If I had known that sweetie pie’s mom, I would have called her and told her what a gem she raised.
How proud she must be to know she did her job well because I suspect that when she looks into the eyes of this young man, she knows she succeeded.
And she did.
Hello! I have been reading your site for a while now and I can’t tell you how much I enjoy it. As one of your former trainees in your other life, I can just say that you inspire me once again. I so much enjoy your humor and wittiness. As a teacher and mother of two, you remind me of why I do what I do while trying to fill both roles as best as I can. Just to get through to students and my own children that above all, they need to be polite and well-mannered young adults. Thank you for that reminder today. Take care!
Well, Megan. You have made my day. Possibly my week. Heck, even my month.
Your words are so kind and remind a stay-at-home mama such as myself that I once had a life that included possibly having an impact on people.
Thank you for taking the time to comment. It truly does mean the world to me.
By chance is your last name Lawson? :)
Why, yes it is! :) I really do mean what I said too. I love your writing–no wonder you were so great at helping to teach us what to do with our students to get them to write. Why did Barbara ever let you leave?!?! Take care!
What a rare breed. HIs mama must be really proud of him. Those are some really good points to incorporate into our ‘son training’ program :)
.-= Clairity´s last blog ..so-called family time =-.
I know – that’s why I was so inspired to write about him today!! He is EXACTLY how I want those little boys to be…:)
The only Payless I know of is the shoe store, so I’m glad you cleared that up because I would have been awfully confused.
.-= C @ Kid Things´s last blog ..Lesson Learned =-.
I know – I thought people not in this region would think this so I had to clear that up. Thanks for reading, C! Always love to see you.
That’s how I want my son to be, too. I laughed when you told your boys to watch out! Ha!!
.-= Andrea´s last blog ..Caffeinated Randomness: Shiny Happy People…or Cars. Whatever. =-.
Well, you know me…:)
I think every women on the planet would like a husband like that. I have 4 daughters and I want them to look for men like that. My job is to teach them 1) that they deserve it and 2) they need to respond in kind.
.-= Kelly W´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday: Making snow angels =-.
I can’t agree more, Kelly. I have a daughter as well (along with the two wild boys) and want her to see/know how she is supposed to be treated. I did not necessarily have that growing up and was a little confused as to how a man was actually supposed to treat a woman. Good point! Thanks for reading!
I am loving your blog!!! Your writing is fantastic and I always look forward to your next post. I am also making Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches for my Super Bowl Party (I don’t really know why I’m doing this … having the party that is. As if I have time to prepare for that!) on Sunday! I’m planning to serve them on those little mini hamburger buns … they are going to be so cute!
Thank you, Amy! You are so kind. You will LOVE the sandwiches – hadn’t thought of mini buns but GREAT idea! I will give it a whirl!
Hi Natalie….I, too, love your blog. I can relate on so many levels…but I have to add that I think one way boys learn to be gentlemen is by watching how their father treats their mother (and by said father requiring that their children treat their mother/sisters respectfully as well)…and from the way you talk about your hubby, I think they are on track to be gentlemen! LY
Oh, Meghan. What a good point. You are SO correct. This is why, whenever JJ brings home flowers, I make sure that my boys see that their father has brought home flowers for mommy and that my daughter sees that her father has brought home flowers for mommy. Both for different reasons – the boys need to see what they should do for their wives someday and Susannah needs to see how her husband should treat her. Good point – well said, dearie!
Glad you are liking my blog, Meghan!
Geez, send some of the polite teens to my town we could sure use them here! BTW, There’s a little something for you here :)
.-= Janine´s last blog ..Snow (hopefully) and an Award! =-.
Thanks for the award, Janine! You are too kind.
Absolutely, we must have more nice men for my Christian sisters! Sometimes, I get asked if my husband has a brother…oh, if only. I could have sold him and we would be gizillionaires. They are few and far between. Here’s hoping the same for your boys!
Enjoy the superbowl.
Yes, I agree Tracy! My job is to groom these little boys to be stand-up, Christian men. In a world of so much hurt at times, I know I have an uphill battle but they are my children. I will fight for it.
Thank you so much for reading!
that is EXACTLY how I picture S and S growing up…. don’t you fear.
BRAVO!!!!
::::stands and exclaims cheers at top of her voice::::
So, how do I get your sons to meet my daughter? I’m convinced there is a future marriage in this picture! ;-)
LOVE this post!
~melody~
.-= ~Melody @ 6 Feet Over~´s last blog ..Conflict enters stage left… =-.
They will be ready for your daughter (I have two that would be eligible for her so she will have to take her pick. I’m sure THAT won’t cause any friction between brothers, eh?) in about 20 years. I will be working on them and getting them ready until then…:)
Thanks for your kind words – just speaking from the heart.
I used to make those doll cakes for my girls!
Stopping by from SITS!