In love with a stranger
Posted by Toni Johnson on Sunday Jul 18, 2010Under Toni, family, musings Tags: birthdays, celebrations
In love with a stranger, you ask? Yes, I say. In love with a stranger. Maybe not quite IN love with a stranger, but I love someone I don’t even know. Actually, that isn’t quite true – I just met her on Friday. But I loved her before that – my heart swelled with joy at the thought of her. HER, you ask?? Yes, her. She would be my future granddaughter. Future granddaughter?? Yes! And I’m so excited!
My son has met the woman of his dreams and one of these days after he has saved enough for an engagement ring he will be popping the question. And then, when they get married, his bride’s daughter will be my granddaughter. Now how cool is that to have an instant granddaughter?!?
Miss H had a birthday party on Friday, to which I was invited. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to go and meet her so I took a vacation day from work. As soon as I arrived I got out my camera, but Miss H didn’t stay in one spot for very long, so most of the images of her are pretty iffy. But, she is adorable and cute and petite and looks like she is already a part of our family, with her brown eyes and dark hair … except for the petite part – we aren’t petite by any means …
She doesn’t know me yet, although she does know that I’m my son’s mother, but I don’t think she realizes the significance of who I am and what part I might play in her life. We didn’t really get an opportunity to spend time together and get to know each other – she was too busy with her nine other friends, but there is plenty of time for that at a later date. What I do know is that she loves the color pink (what little girl doesn’t?) and she doesn’t like the color purple (that makes me a little sad) and she loves to read books (yay!) and she is friends with girls AND boys. I do realize that it will take time to create a bond with her and I am really looking forward to that, one step, one day, at a time.
For now I’m just the lady with the camera and that’s okay.
* Subscribe * 
* Become a fan! *
July 18th, 2010 at 2:01 am
Lucky you AND lucky her
It will make both your lives fun to getting to know each other. And your daughter-in-law (to be) must feel so comfortable. I know I did when my girls was welcomed into my new husbands family.
July 18th, 2010 at 2:33 am
Do I assume correctly hers is that petite little, adorable, priceless face in the middle, Toni??!!! Ohhhhh. I love her already, too. Aanbiddelijk! (Adorable) Maybe another day you’ll be able to start right at the beginning, with pregnancy news, but till then, instant anything can be so gratifying.
CONGRATULATIONS!
July 18th, 2010 at 3:55 am
Being the lady with the camera is a perfectly wonderful way to introduce yourself into her life…and an easy way for her to get to know you.
Lucky..lucky you to go from ‘losing a son’ to ‘gaining both a daughter-in-law and granddaughter’ – all at once and at the same time. She is absolutely adorable!!!!
July 18th, 2010 at 6:25 am
Oh Toni CONGRATULATIONS! I love your description of her, she sounds like a wonderful girl. Many wishes for a long marriage to grandson. I can’t wait to see who my kids choose as life partners, wait…I take that back:)
July 18th, 2010 at 12:42 pm
What a wonderful thing to look forward to… My husband and I have a “blended” family ourselves, and I think it is so important to treat children like they truly are in that spot in your heart even if not in your blood. And you are doing that already, which means that you and she will have a wonderful relationship…congrats!
July 18th, 2010 at 3:28 pm
Congratulations, Toni! Grandchildren are the GREATEST! No doubt about it!!! I’m so happy for you and family — your son finding the women of his dreams and you meeting your future granddaughter. I’ll be looking forward to seeing more pictures and hearing all about her.
July 18th, 2010 at 8:03 pm
Toni, you’ve moved me to tears with your post!
Tears of happiness and joy, seeing how you’ve opened your heart and already embraced this lucky little girl. Being a single mom to two boys, I was blessed to marry a man who simply adores them, and who’s family immediately wrapped them in an all-inclusive family bear hug.
And, tears of loss and sadness; my mom passed away nearly three years ago, when my brother’s beautiful daughter was only one. My mom would have so loved to have seen my boys and her granddaughter through the lens of her camera, since she was the family photographer.
May we all be as welcoming as you are to our future family members!
July 18th, 2010 at 8:48 pm
Congratulations! Instant love is the best!
July 19th, 2010 at 3:40 am
how lovely and what a wonderful relationship to grow and develop over time. i am getting to know J’s children; well, i’ve known them a while now and we only see them maybe 2/3 times a year – but the more time i spend with them the better it gets
July 19th, 2010 at 7:42 am
What a cute idea to speak of yourself as the lady with the camera!! I am so sure in no time at all you will be granny! You have already opened up your heart for her, and she will know that and sense it. I am sure you will have heaps of fun together!! Enjoy your new role!
July 19th, 2010 at 1:55 pm
What a wonderful journey to be starting out on together
In the future you can both look back at this post and remember the time before you knew each other; it’ll probably seem like a dream! You’re both very lucky.