9/3/09

The first day of kindergarten holds many surprises...


Some of you might remember that little trip I took to visit a few friends in Chicago at the end of July. My plane ride across the country was punctuated with a stop in the Philadelphia airport. It was there I switched from a large plane to one that I had to practically fly myself.


I had at least a two-hour layover, and spent most of the time at the gate where I was to depart for my flight home.


Not long after arriving at this particular gate, a large family group arrived after what I later learned was a long flight from Italy. They consisted of a “not-quite” middle-aged couple, three or four college-age young people, a young girl and several even younger toddlers. I was mesmerized by this family, and by the mother in particular. She was younger than me, but appeared to have children whose ages spanned at least 17 years or more. Did I mention she looked great? In fact, she looked better than I did after my FIRST child. The little girl was adorable, tanned by what were surely many days at the beach- her hair a bright yellow with help from the sun.


They were all jovial and upbeat, despite what surely was a long overseas flight with three young children. I am always fascinated by people, and watching and listening to this family helped the time fly by.



Imagine my surprise this morning when, on the first day of kindergarten orientation, in walked this mother – with the young adorable girl in tow.




Yeah. I’m her teacher.

77 comments:

Unknown said...

That is incredible! What would be even COOLER would be if you moved to South Jersey and we walked in to Katie's Kindegarten class next year to find out that were HER teacher! I would volunteer to be class parent immediately.

Unknown said...

that YOU were her teacher that is. sorry, very tired. Spent the entire day at the park with 5 kids.

Anna Whiston-Donaldson said...

Wow! What are the chances? I'm going to venture that that mom gives great teacher gifts, too.

Nanny Goats In Panties said...

Well then it's a good thing you didn't scream and yell at her at the airport about where does she get off having such a good time and looking so good after so many kids and who does she think she is and then putting a public hex on her and just generally making a scene, cuz THAT would have made for an awkward school year.

- Margaret

Beth said...

What are the odds?!

It brings to mind that our world is small indeed.

Unknown said...

Wow! That is unbelievable!
Funny that you "met them" before you even met them.
I know we don't pick favorites but... is she your favorite yet.

Peace - Rene

Anonymous said...

Wow! It's a small world after all:)

Everyday Goddess said...

What a riot!
How lucky for them! They have the coolest K teacher in the whole USA.

Anonymous said...

Small world. That is awesome!

Erika @MeSoupBlog said...

well, thank goodness you had good thoughts about them!! It could have been the brats in the airport, but luckily- what a blessing! Have a good first full week!

Suzy said...

Oh Lord, that poor child. I see therapy in her future.

Lynn said...

That is absolutely amazing!
Six degrees of separation?
More like two!!!!

P-Rice! said...

SMALL FREAKING WORLD! LOVE IT!

Anonymous said...

What a Co Winky Dence!

Snappy Di

Anonymous said...

How lucky is she to have you, VM. It will be a wonderful year for you both. Sue's stalking Mom

Keyona said...

How wierd! It's such a small world. I can't wait to hear stories about this little one.

the mama bird diaries said...

oh my gosh. that is crazy. Now you get to find out the whole scoop on the family.

♥ Braja said...

Duh...they followed you when they saw you in the airport, enamored by your aura and charm and gorgeousness....

Lisa@Pickles and Cheese said...

That is a great story! Amazing! That little girl is lucky to have you for a teacher. Maybe she can teach you some Italian?

Mrs. E said...

Crazy. What do you think of your little munchkins?

Diane J. said...

How cool is that? It's fun when things like that happen...although Nanny Goats in Panties comment was a pretty funny thought.

Fragrant Liar said...

What an incredible coincidence. But life is full of this stuff, if we just open our eyes and look around.

She is one lucky little girl.

SkylersDad said...

That is pretty crazy, I suppose it is a good thing you didn't bitch slap them at the airport.

Anonymous said...

That's so cool. Did you mention that you'd seen them there?

shrink on the couch said...

I think they're stalking you.

(who can blame them?)

Irish Chick Soup said...

Huh. Those kind of context switches are always interesting. I know it's been said, but I think I gotta, such a small world.

Brian Miller said...

very cool. saw your tweet earlier as well. hope you enjoyed day one! big smiles.

The Stiletto Mom said...

OMG...that is SO COOL! And how lucky are they to have you as a teacher? Very very lucky indeed my friend. Love you.

Kathleen said...

Yeah, what Braja said!

An Open Heart said...

que the twighlight zone music,eh?

;o)
S

Midlife Roadtripper said...

Funny how those things turn out sometimes.

Anne said...

Wow, wow...and, oh yeah, wow.

Such a cool story.

Barrie said...

That is one of those coincidences that you can't put in a novel. No one would believe it!

LadyFi said...

Sometimes even clichés are true: the world really is a small place - at times.

Joanie said...

Ask her if she needs a pediatric nurse/nanny. I'll work super cheap.

Joanie said...

P.S. I'm serious, too.

Boozy Tooth said...

Wow, VM... a lot of cool stuff happens your way. I bet you're going to enjoy the student and the parents.

PS: Next time you're in the Philly airport - if there's not a cool family to eavesdrop on - check out the wine bar.

Formerly known as Frau said...

Small world after all!

WeaselMomma said...

It's a small, small world. Damn, now that stupid song will be stuck in my head all day!

mommakin said...

There's so much that we share, that it's time we're aware... (Yeah, I'll be singing it all day, too. Out, out, damned song!)

VERY cool story!

Brett said...

Small world. by the way I've just built a new web site at Bretttrafford.com let me know what you think.

Scary Mommy said...

How amazing is that?!! Wah! I want you for Lily's teacher. Not fair.

Meg said...

Cool! I hope you're up on your Italian.

The Peach Tart said...

What synchronicity.

Rick Daley said...

It's a small world. Once I was at the Philadephia airport eating a cheese-steak and drinking a beer with a colleague. I said something ab out airports being a great place for people-watching.

"Yeah, but you know we'll probably never see any of these people again, he said.

"I don't know," I said. "I've flown to Nashville and ended up running into a guy who used to live down the street from me in Ohio but has since moved to Phoenix. We weren't even there for the same conference."

Later, when we were waiting by the gate, someone appeared in front of me and said, "Rick Daley, it is you!"

I had worked with her in a restaurant ten years ago. She was heading home to Columbus from Washington DC, I was heading home from Rhode Island.

Small world, indeed.

Unknown said...

Could it be fate and that you and the little girl will become somehow bound for life?

Possible scenario: she will become president of the USA one day and name you publically, as her mentor.

Unknown said...

Oh wait, she can't! Unless she was born here!

Unknown said...

Can you hear that? That...singing? "It's a small world after all..." At least the memory of the family is a pleasant one. It should be interesting to hear the child's account of what she did this summer.

Scope said...

Did you mention to the mother that remembering seeing her at the airport?

Samantha said...

That is nuts!

Ladybird World Mother said...

That is just fab. Did you quickly cast your mind back to make sure you weren't picking your nose at the airport or hoicking your knickers out of your bottom? Just asking. xxx ;)

*Akilah Sakai* said...

Cool!
So you're saying I may bump into you in a classroom one day?

Ms. Skywalker said...

She is an extremely lucky pupil.

buffalodick said...

Sounds like you are both going to learn something this year!

Tracie said...

That's so cool! They are a very lucky family!

blognut said...

I love it when stuff like this happens. She's a lucky kid!

The Good Cook said...

I'm inclined to go with the stalking theory. Be afraid. Be very afraid.

Sprite's Keeper said...

You may have been enchanted by that family, but I'm pretty sure they're enchanted by you now. :-)

Stereos and Souffles said...

NO FRIGGIN WAY!

justmakingourway said...

Excellent! Very serendipitous...

Sue said...

Funny how life works sometimes and how different people are brought into our lives at different times for different reasons!

peewee said...

Wow. Good thing they didn't annoy the hell outta you. YET. :)

Michel said...

Oh my goodness! you are soo lucky you didn't get all drunk and punch the mom in the face for being all trendy, happy and pretty (b/c that is what I would have done).

Now you can relax because that totally won't happen until the Christmas party.

Unknown said...

that is just amazing...the luck of it all...or is it fate? very cool...and cool stuff never happens to me

cheatymoon said...

Oh, I love when this stuff happens. :-)

Ron said...

GET OUT! What is it about you that your aura can draw the whole world to you. You've got a gift.

Desert Songbird said...

Small world, huh? I hope the little girl turns out to be as adorable as she seemed this summer.

Unknown said...

Wow! U were right (in your SITS comment earlier)... it IS a coincidence! What are the chances? :P

Jocelyn said...

Amazing coincidence.

Now, though, that's a lot of pressure: they might expect that you'll be as wonderful as they. Crap, I hope you can put on a good front.

Jenn @ Juggling Life said...

OMG! They moved to Smith, Oregon, too?!

Sparkly Tiara said...

It truly is a small world, isn't it?

Liss said...

Holy freaking dooly!! I thought freaky stuff like that happened to me!! (I seriously am a co-incidence magnet!). Bizarro.

Debbie said...

I love a good coincidence like that!

Julie D said...

Wow! Getting caught up on my blog reading. Happy Saturday!

Unknown said...

Small world. That is cool.

Bethany said...

That's so cool! Once the school year gets closer I always wonder if kids I see at the pool/park will be students of mine :)

Kristen said...

Quick! Ask the mom for all her tips and tricks! I want them.