Today I'll Remember....

Today I'll remember our very first tea party...

I'll remember how you came running in the door, home from school yelling for me and asking where I was.  I'll remember how your eyes were full of excitement when you asked me "Are we having a tea party today?!"  I'll remember how you shouted "HOORAY!"  when I told you "Yes".  I'll remember how you dragged your stool the length of the kitchen so that you could reach the sink and I'll remember how you ever so carefully washed each dish.

Today I'll remember how you placed each of your friends just so and how you asked them if they wanted to join you for tea.  I'll remember how you told me that we had to change our voices if we were to have tea..."cuz that's just what you do!" and I'll even remember how you told me that we needed to put beautiful bows in our hair so we would be ready for tea.

I'll remember how you shook my hand and said "Nice to meet you Linda, I'm Sally.  May I pour you some tea?" I'll remember how you then took your time and poured my tea so carefully so that it wouldn't spill and how you made sure to add an extra sprinkle of sugar to your cup of tea.

Today I'll remember how we had to say "CHEERS!" after every sip and how you tried so hard to point your pinkie but just couldn't get it right.

I'll even remember how you said "Simply delicious!" and sipped your tea, immediately followed by "More tea please!" in your english accent.  I'll remember how you smiled and giggled after each cup of tea and how you dabbed your mouth with your cloth napkin.

Today I'll remember how your nibbled your crumpet and dipped it in honey.  I'll remember how you showed me how to "eat like a lady" and thinking to myself "where did she learn how to have proper tea?!" 

And I'll even remember how when all the tea was gone and the table was covered in crumbs you said "Thank you for joining me for tea..." followed by "I love you mama!" and with a big hug off you went to watch your show.

I'll remember sitting alone at the table looking at the mess that called my name and even though I was tired and the last thing I wanted to do was re-clean the kitchen I just picked up 20 minutes prior, it all seemed worth it if it meant I got to spend those 20 minutes emerged your world, watching you pretend and being "Linda, your tea partner" if only for a while.

I want to remember this day forever.  I want to remember how grateful I am to have a little girl, a little girl who wants to have tea with her mama.  I hope we have many, many more tea parties to come and I can't wait to cherish every minute of it!