I Can't Help It...

Okay. It's probably not right.
But I'm getting a little thrill out of what happened yesterday.
I'm living vicariously through Bridgette. (What's new?) I just have to tell you all what happened! This would have made a great chick flick. Seriously. You would have loved it. I would have loved it!
You see, remember how I told you Bridgette got reconnected with the boy who proposed to her when they were three or four? They haven't seen each other since second grade - and he lives 65 miles away...but they're dating now. His name is Grant. I've taught him Sunday School, and am friends with his parents. He's the oldest of six kids and is a really nice kid. His mom and I got reacquainted in the process of the kids becoming friends again and so now we can discuss ground rules for this new relationship and it's really been a good thing. (And when Bridgette and Grant get together, the moms can visit, too...such fun!)
Anyhow, Bridgette's 8th grade field trip was yesterday. This is the "big one" - the one they look forward to their whole Middle School "career"...they get to go to a big amusement park in The Cities (St. Paul/Minneapolis area). It's kind of a big deal around here.
I was glad that Bridgette was looking forward to it, because she's been getting some "mean girl" treatment from some 8th grade princesses. I felt her pain as Bridgette told me how some popular girls (Bridgette and her friends nicknamed them "Hollisters") would come up to their lunch table and say, "Bridgette, I heard you had a boyfriend?" Bridgette would confirm that. Then another day they would ask if he went to their school. Bridgette told them no. Then, they'd ask his name. Bridgette supposed that they didn't believe she had a boyfriend and that she was making it up. Funny thing was, Bridgette never told any of THEM anything! It was just them overhearing Bridgette talking to her friends! Those little snots making fun of my baby! They assumed they were the "cool girls" and since they didn't have boyfriends, Bridgette didn't...because they all look like Pamela Anderson and Bridgette doesn't. They all act like snotty girls and Bridgette is a sweet and gentle soul - and they often make fun of that. Bridgette sticks up for the underdog and they have tried to push her around for that, but she has never backed down. That intimidates them, so they usually leave her alone, but make fun of her in ways like this. She's a private kind of girl, and they don't really know her. They think they do, but they don't. She doesn't conform, so she doesn't fit in in the ways that they want her to. She says she feels sorry for them - because they are mean to each other - their friends. She wouldn't want to belong to that group. She couldn't be like that if she tried.
Well, a month or so ago, Bridgette and Grant figured out that Grant's school was going to the SAME amusement park on the SAME day! They schemed to meet up and spend the day together. (Both schools just had the kids meet back at the bus at a certain time...so it was never a problem.)
Well, I texted Bridgette at one point yesterday and asked if she found Grant (because it's a BIG park!) and if she was having fun. All she texted back was "Yes & Yes!", so I figured things were going well...
...this is where it gets good...
Bridgette couldn't wait to tell me the whole story when I picked her up. Apparently, Grant was having the same problem at his school - he was talking about a mysterious girl from a different school far away (even though she had gone to school with a handful of those kids! Shame on them! They should have remembered her!). I guess Grant and Bridgette spent the whole 5 hours at the park holding hands (Bridgette blushed when she said that...) and made a point to pass all the "Hollisters" that made fun of them - from both schools! And Bridgette said "Hi!" to those from Grant's school as they passed, and Grant said "Hi" to those from Bridgette's school as they passed. Bridgette said that they sneaked a look back every now and then, and many of the kids had bug-eyes and mouths gaping, looking after them. Grant and Bridgette just giggled away! She said it was SO FUN!!!!
I'm giggling just thinking about it! (Take THAT, all you mean girls who were picking on my baby!!)
And, one of the boys who is a Hollister said "I saw your boyfriend." in kind of a perplexed voice as Bridgette boarded the bus. Bridgette said she just nodded very confidently and murmured, "Yep."  as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
The kids have a half day today...their last day of school for the year. It's Bridgette's yearbook signing day. I wonder what kids will write. I imagine they think differently of her, and I'm glad. Before, they always thought they were so much cooler and more mature than she was. Now, I think they are understanding that maybe they don't know everyone as well as they think they do.
I think it's the perfect way to end 8th grade. Most 8th graders should be so lucky!