The power of a slurpee

It has been a while since I have had the opportunity to write an update on my beloved rugrats. For better or worse, there has been nothing glaring to report about. While I would not say they have been quietly growing up, they have been doing so without major drama - well drama worth writing about anyway. In an era which seems completely chaotic to Lynley and I, they seem to be the steady eddy. They roll with the punches.

Surprisingly it has been Ainsley who has probably turned into my stand out. She and I have developed a habit of running to 7-11 for Slurpees. Honestly, at this point, I don't know who has a stronger addiction - me or her. I can, however, tell you that either she or I can always find a way to get the other out of the house to make a trip to our nearest 7-11 watering whole for the flavored, icy masterpiece in a cup.

It is strange how an entire relationship can be transformed by such a simple act. In fact, as strange as it sounds to say it, I have to tell you that the simple act of getting a Slurpee has completely and utterly revolutionized my relationship with my daughter. Slurpees have brought us together.

Oh, sure, we have always been Daddy and daughter. She has always been adorably obstinate and utterly sneaky. I have always loved her for those qualities. We have always snuggled and cuddled. We have been engaged in each others lives. To point, it isn't as though we weren't close.

Slurpees have just brought us 10 times closer than I could ever imagine. We now have a thing, just her and I. It is something we have in common. For so long, we were simply father and daughter. I think we were as close as most fathers and daughters are. We just never really had anything in common. She was a little girl and I was a big man. Outside of the fact that we were father and daughter we really did not have that much in common.

Strangely enough, Slurpees gave us that. It has been the catalyst, the spark, which has completely transformed us. I really don't know of any other way to explain it. It started off as just a chance to go get something sweet to drink. But somehow that turned into an opportunity to talk about our lives, to giggle and to just be together. We have developed a true friendship and an interest in each others lives that we had never had previously.

All over a Slurpee...

It is that easy. One little thing can make all of the difference in the world.

Wow, I am amazed at how many flavors purpose comes in.