wants to ride her bike to school

Yesterday I saw something really touching. . . . (yes, this will be a little bit of a sappy post so stop reading now if that is not your thing).

Every Tuesday morning and afternoon I am on "outside duty" at school. What that means is that I get to stand outside in hail, rain, snow, wind and sometimes sunshine to make sure that no small children are injured on their way across the crosswalk, through the church parking lot or down toward the school. It is good PR with the parents, and it is fun to see all the kids come running in to school excited to start a new day.

Yesterday, it was beautiful and sunny and I made my way toward the church parking lot which was my station. The school I teach at is not a "bussing school" so all the kids walk, ride bikes/scooters or carpool to school. I have a little girl in my classroom who has been telling me every day how she is going to ride her bike to school.

Yesterday, she did.

This might not seem monumental and it probably wasn't but what I saw will always stay with me. It wasn't just Maggie riding her bike to school. Her dad was riding his bike with her. Obviously, I have seen children riding bikes with their parents before - - no big deal right? Not really an uncommon thing. I rode bikes with my family all the time growing up.

The touching part was that this was obviously the first time that Maggie had ridden her bike to school and right by her side was her dad, the whole time. She was pedaling away just as fast as her little legs could take her on her pink and white barbie bike. She had on a matching helmet and her backpack -- and a huge grin on her face. Her dad went to the bike rack with her, helped her lock up her bike and then I watched as he gave her a hug and a kiss and hopped back on his bike to ride home. I might have teared up just a little bit.

At the end of the day, the dad was right there waiting for Maggie and helped her un-do the lock and they pedaled their way home.

There is something about a dad and a little girl that just kind of gets to me. Maybe because I am a daddy's girl. . . . . Kind of silly but it made me want to be a little girl again. It was easier back then.

Somehow riding my bike to school, while fun and good exercise just isn't as "cute" as that. Either way, it made the whole day worth it and maybe next Tuesday when I am on duty again I'll find something new to smile about!