Those dreamy teen idols

One of my favorite times with my daughter is "tuck in" time. Of course, she's getting bigger now (6th grade in the fall) but still she permits me to cuddle up and we talk and laugh.

The other night was one of the best tuck in times in awhile. My daughter is pretty creative and funny so I love to hear her observations about things. My daughter is slowly moving to the "pre-teen" set. She's still solid kid, but she's also moving into that Jr. high age world.

This was evident in one of our most recent tuck-in talks. Allie and her friends all like one "hottie" movie and tv star. His name is Chad Michael Murray. Mind you it's important to use all three names. He's not just "Chad Murray" - A Chad Michael Murray poster has a place of honor above Allie's bed (along with other girl-singer faves- Avril Lavigne, Alicia Keys, Ashlee Simpson)

I shared with Allie back in the "olden times" (aka the late 1970s) my girlfriends and I also had posters and dreamy guys- like Scott Baio and Shaun Cassidy of the "Hardy Boys Mysteries" (I myself preferred the other Hardy Boy, Parker Stevenson- he seemed older, and therefore more sophistocated and he had better hair)

As we discussed dreamy boys through the decades, I asked Allie- "What would it be like if you actually met Chad Michael Murray?"

It was evident that before I asked the question that Allie had already fleshed out this particular fantasy. In detail.

"I would want to meet him when I'm older, like at the end of college because I know you say its not worth getting involved with a boy until I'm nearly done with college" (note: this is true, I've pretty much drilled this into her head, hoping that she will believe boys are too weird and still have too many boy-cooties until their early 20s) back to our story:

"So, it is my college graduation day and just as soon as they hand me my diploma a big limosine pulls up with Chad Michael Murray in it. And he invites me to ride in his limo, and its really cool. Then we go to an awesome graduation party. It really rocks and then we are boyfriend and girlfriend."

I have to admit I love this starry-eyed story. Of course, I don't believe Chad Michael Murray or any other mortal on the planet could possibly be good enough for my adorable daughter. And, I don't know how long I can convince her to swear off boys until her early 20s. She will probably continue to think boys are weird (hell, I still think that) but as you are older they seem to have less cooties and they are pretty cute.

One of the great things about having kids is that you see the world again through new eyes, and you get to browse back through your own childhood a little bit. I doubt I would have thought about Shaun Cassidy, Parker Stevenson, Scott Baio if it weren't for the Chad Michael Murray poster. I remember the huge debate in my Girl Scout troop on who was cuter (I was Parker Stevenson's only defender- Scott Baio was the overwhelming favorite)

Sometimes, though, its a little sad. I know the days of "tuck in" time are numbered, I know she will not want to cuddle up as much, and the window into her thoughts and fantasies will close. So, I'm enjoying it while it lasts.