My nine year old is discovering girls, not as yucky, cootie-covered creatures created for "boy-torture," but as young women to like, love, and marry. This I am not ready for!

We were doing one of our favorite summertime activities: having a picnic in the park. We brought our books to read, great food to eat, and were ready to simply hang out with one another. My son, who is also discovering hygiene and hairdos, 'did' his mohawk today--with red gel. It actually looks like he has spots of fresh blood around his head, in his eyebrows, and on his ear. Little kids kept walking over to stare at him, he looks so odd.

However, one young lady didn't look at him oddly. Instead, she started flirting with him, talking to him, drawing him out of his shell. At first, I paid no attention. I mean, really, I had a book to read! The next time I looked up, they were pushing a swing together, and then I began to surreptitiously watch them.

They followed one another all over the playground, playing tag, hanging around and talking, laughing, smiling and hiding from one another and their parents. I was shocked! First because his bizarre hairdo didn't freak her out. And second because I hadn't thought of my son as ready to flirt...with a GIRL!

The tenuous thread that holds mother and son together strengthened occasionally; he'd come back to check with me, to make sure I was still present for him. I tried to gently coach him into finding out information about this young lady, like her name. Finding out her name hadn't even dawned on him! Eventually, she had to leave as did we, and their buddingly fragile relationship came haltingly to an end.

On the way home, he told me more about her--Kaylee--and then began to think too far ahead for me; he wondered if they'd eventually get married. While the inner mother in me was freaking out, the outer mother, the mother who wants her son to feel comfortable talking with her, listened attentively, asked a few questions, and tried my best to sound supportive. While I'm sure he has already forgotten her as he immerses himself in "Scooby do," I won't forget this first-of-many-budding romances.

Time with my son has passed too quickly.