First of all... Hi, Girl Chat. It feels like it’s been longer than it’s been.

I have a Girl Moment to share with you.

~

Little Family Member was Allowed to stay up with Rainbow until midnight. Normally she is Not Allowed, but tonight was special. Moreover, the other adults in the house were apparently content to let the pedophile occupy the little girl while they played their not-a-kid’s-games in the kitchen.

(The pedophile was not the least bit unhappy with this arrangement.)

:)

The inevitable cuddling session began on a sofa with a pillow and a blanket and a largely ignored Netflix For Kids. Little displays of affection were exchanged while cartoon characters made talking noises at low volume.

The question took me by surprise: “Umm... Can I sleep down here with you tonight?” she said in her coziest my-bedtime-was-three-hours-ago voice.

“Umm... Yes, but go ask Mom and Dad,” I said in my coziest I’ve-been-cuddling-with-a-little-girl-for-three-hours voice.

There were no objections. Little Family Member reappeared moments later with pajamas and two cups of water. I lifted the blanket for her to crawl in with me, and I was suddenly acutely aware of the soft, squishy shape of a little girl wearing thin cloth. She nestled into me as close as she could possibly get, allowing me to spoon her and pulling my arm against her upper body protectively. She was purring within seconds.

(Little girls do not snore. They purr. And it is the most soothing sound you will ever hear.)

I spent the next nine hours in a state of absolute bliss. Sleep never came; I was too preoccupied by this tiny, purring, trusting, impossibly beautiful thing I was holding, who was determined to rearrange herself into a more adorable position each time she stirred.

:3

I have never felt more thankful to be a pedophile than on that night. The ability to see children as we see them is no less than a gift. And as often as I find myself wishing that I had a little girl burrowed under the covers with me... The truth is, the seldomness of such occasions allows me appreciate the beauty in them so much more than if they were commonplace.

~

I hope that someone finds something to appreciate in this Girl Moment. It was a difficult one to put into words, but I spent a lot of time trying to get it right. I hope I did it justice — it was extremely special to me.

~

R a i n b o w