my little cousin is the sweetest 12 year old angel. this morning I awoke slightly hungover and a little anxious to spend the day with this grown preteen who requested “urban outfitters and anthropology” for “vibey” room inspiration. after a little hiccup, (waking up to a lost key fob), we were off in Aunt Nene’s car on a mission downtown.
On the ride down I was struck by how talkative, smart and inquisitive she was. She loves Hamilton, and wants to be a marine biologist when she grows up because she loves weird animals and the ocean. Apparently, they still have slam books in 6th grade these days people, so thank GOD.
We stopped at Anthropology, a farmers market with flowers, Urban and Free People. On the walk to Buffalo Exchange, I told her my true age- and she said I “look GREAT. omg you’re not married?!?” (no dear. I hope I said something good in response, I think I said I think it takes time to find the right one).
She assured me I was a strong independent woman. so. lol. LOL.
Preteen cosign is all I needed in life.
We stopped by Uniqlo for bucket hats. We stopped at La Calaca Feliz and ordered nachos and virgin margs. She asked me about grandpa, I said he was a “traveling soul” and was in the Philippines. (Truth). She also said don’t have a baby because then I’ll be a mom and she won’t like me anymore. AHHAH.
I promised not to change, and to always be a cool mom.
We chatted about her friends, and how she wants to move away from Jersey and my “boyfriend” and all the things he does for me and his life. lol. She was excited to hear about him. A little too excited but I get it.
We squeezed in one more trip the Urban Exchange, a vintage shop in Philly that sells eclectic, eccentric used clothing, “at least 25 years old.” A lot of places were closing early due to COVID... She picked out some cat eye yellow-lens sunnies and some bleach splotched sweatpants (that I didn’t care for... but like how rude of me to say that, so I let her get ‘em, and bought the sunnies, obviously).
We sung Hamilton over a million times and I let her hold the aux. She was super cute with her sayings and slang. We pulled over and took a photo in front of some graffiti. <3 then headed home to my home for a brief moment. she immediately grabbed my ukulele and decided to play and asked me to teach her. we play a billie eilish song, Bellyache. She’s a lefty and a fast learner. My downstairs neighbor’s kids asked if she was my daughter on the way to Grandma’s for dinner and ice cream.
I truly had such a lovely time with her. It’s insane how fast I forgot that 12 wasn’t like 4th grade. Its 6th. The beginning of all the bullshit. Luckily, she’s got a cool big cousin to help her through the bullshit.
germansingergirl
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prguitarman
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gummygunk
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