We are an affectionate family. My husband and I make a point to kiss in front of the kids, hold hands when we're out together with them; things we honestly NEVER do when we're alone. We've been together for 12 years, and we just don't NEED to make out all the time anymore. But we want the kids to see us being affectionate. We feel like that's important. It's working....

My boys still let me kiss them before I tuck them in at night. Both of them are WAY too old for it, but they let me anyway. They still hold my hand on walks, and they still give their old mom a peck before they hop out of the car and shuffle into school.

Well, until the other day, that is.

My oldest has track meets 45 minutes before school starts, two days a week. I drop him off to school those mornings, and we are always running 2 minutes late, so we've never seen the other teammates outside...they're already on the track. Last week, we got to school not only on time, but early. Yes, this alone is the last sign of the End of Days, but that's another story.

We get to school early, and I pull up in front of the school where a few of the other kids are standing. I lean in for my Totally Harmless Get It Every Morning Kiss Goodbye, and that kid not only didn't let me kiss him, he rolled his little eyes at me and walked away.

Um, WHAT?

I sat there for a minute and watched him. He casually sauntered away from me, like he was big and bad or something, and then he disappeared in the crowd of his friends. I. Was. Shocked. When did this happen? When did I become gross? Since when am I not good enough for a goodbye kiss? ON THE CHEEK? I mean, it's not like I licked my thumb and wiped syrup off his chin, right? I just love my boy, that's all.

And that's when I realized that I am no longer Thing One is his world. I was replaced by pimply, bad smelling, poorly dressed kids who think they can tie their shoes, but they still really can't and we all know it.

I have been paying closer attention since that day. We were out at the mall the other day and I took his hand. He almost, sort of tried to pull away, just for a spilt second, but then took hold. I looked at him. He glared straight ahead. I said, "This is killing you, isn't it?" He said, "Umpth." And then I let go, ruffled his hair really fast, and gave him his space.

Today, I picked him up from school and as I waited I saw him linger just a second too long with a girl one grade higher than him, a girl with long blond hair and blue eyes, just like me. When he did make his way to the car, he had that grin on his face that I know for a fact I have made a few boys wear in my day. The girl walked four steps behind him, BEAMING, and as she passed my car she put her head down and didn't look up until she was directly in front of me (and him), and then she just waved the coyest little wave I have ever seen.

OHMYGOD THEY HAVE A CRUSH ON EACH OTHER.

Are you waiting for the point? Yeah, there isn't one. I have no clue what I am doing from this point out. I got demoted this week, and I am the teencist little bit heartbroken about it. I'm just praying to god that he'll keep letting me kiss his cheeks when no one else is looking for a little while longer.

But you know what? As sad as I am for me, I am really excited for him. This is where we end and he begins.