diamonds are a girl's best friend!

I secretly have been waiting for the time when Anna-Claire would come to me and tell me she wanted her ears pierced! I promised myself long ago that piercing her ears would be a decision that only she would make! And if and when that time came I would gladly let her have it done! I wanted her to experience the excitement and the nervousness that I got to experience when my mom took me to get my ears pierced! I can remember like it was yesterday when my mom took me to Goldsmith's Department Store (now Macy's) and driving up that ramp, parking the car, walking boldly in the door and with glassed over eyes telling the lady the exact pair I had proudly chosen. (which by the way were gold stars because I was in love with Wonder Woman) I can remember holding me breath, my stomach full of anticipation and then seeing for the first time a big girl with newly pierce ears starring back at me in the mirror!

So you can imagine my excitement when Anna-Claire out of the blue said to me one day, "Momma, I want to get my ears pierced!" As excited as I was that she mentioned it I remained calm, cool and collective as all moms do and said, "Well let's think about it some!" I later went on to explain how it hurts just a little bit and how it is very important to keep them clean and how once one ear was pierced there was no turning back! LOL So she pondered back and forth for about a week and said, "Well, you know I think I will get my ears pierced when I am like six years old, no ten years old, or when I am a mom like you!" So I told her it was her decision and when she wanted to get them done is when we would get them done.

About a month or so passed and the topic never came up again until one day right before bed she said, "You know I think I am ready to get my ears pierced now! I am a big girl and now is the time!" Coincidentally, her decision came right before the week of her Pre-K Graduation! What perfect timing! Anna-Claire would be given a very special graduation gift .... her ears pierced! How exciting! She was so excited but you could tell a little on the skeptical side! So she asked if she could bring a friend with her to hold her hand!

The Saturday right after graduation, we headed to Claire's! Anna-Claire's best friend Alyssa came along for moral support! I had called the day before to make sure two ladies would be there to pierce both ears at the same time. (Way to think ahead mom!) You could see the excitement building in her mind and eyes as we parked the car. She walked with such confidence into the store! When given the choice of earrings she immediately pointed to the diamonds (they were really cubic zirconias but who cares)! And there my little baby girl sat, holding her best friend's hand, all the while anxiously awaiting her fate! In a matter of seconds it was done! She looked up at me and I could tell she was about to cry! And then I said to her, "Your earrings are beautiful! You look so pretty!" Not a tear was shed that day! No not one! As one of the ladies handed her a mirror I knew this day would be one she would always remember! As she looked in the mirror I could see her refection! I knew that look! I had seen it many, many years ago!

The look of seeing for the first time a big girl with newly pierce ears starring back at her in the mirror....