I accidentally came across a gift for Munchkin today. On my way to the Farmer’s Market in town, I ducked inside Hallmark because I needed some cards. I meandered the aisles, picking up random cards (including a birthday card for Munchkin because it’s appropriate and I didn’t want to chance it not being there in December… or forgetting about it in the aftermath of LittleBrother’s birth). I ended up with four cards, including a little cute one for Munchkin. (Hallmark has some cute “just for kids” cards right now that any kind of parent might want to check out. It says “Limited Time Offer” on the display so… get a move on.)

I made my way to the counter and waited in line. I always look at the necklaces and jewelry on display. I’m not a huge jewelry fanatic. I wear my wedding rings, a pair of diamond studs in my second earring hole (though usually nothing in my first) and occasionally a necklace of some sort. (I’m currently sporting puka shells because a) we were just at the beach, b) I freaking love shell necklaces, c) the white against my skin makes me look more tan than I actuall am.) I should make a note that I miss my nose ring much more than I thought I would and will probably get it repierced after LittleBrother is born. That will make five times that a needle has gone through my nostril(s). Perhaps I like pain more than the jewelry? Anyway…

I saw it.

A double necklace set. You know the kind; keep one and give the other to your friend/sister/mom/daughter/neighbor/dog. It brought back feelings of inadequacy because I never had a “best friend” necklace from anyone while growing up and it’s always been a sore spot. (Though TheHusbandMan and I do have two halves of the fire fighter medallion from when we were married. He likes me.)

This particular set was in a pale pink box. It had writing on the top, underside of the lid.

You wear one, I’ll wear the other, and we’ll always be close at heart.

Yeah. Danged if I didn’t cry while waiting in line at my local Hallmark store. I picked up the box and inspected it a little more closely. Silver, which is nice because I prefer silver over gold. (Though my wedding rings are gold because I have this random traditional streak flowing through me that I don’t always “get.”) Kind of “antiqued” in the look, which I also dig. Set on a black cord instead of a chain; eh, I could give or take that but, perhaps it’s better for kids. Less likely to break? (Or, on my side, less likely that one of the boys will yank on it and break it in half.)

The two pieces, as you can see, are a double layered heart on one rope chain and, the other is a rectangle where the heart fits into it with the word “always” underneath. Or, in my eyes, a rectangle with a heart shaped hole. Yeah, that seems about right, no? Only more appropriate if it was a human shape instead of a rectangle but, hey, I can be a rectangle. (Though, I’m slightly more round than a rectangle right now.)

I decided that it could only be more appropriate if the word featured was “forever” instead of “always.” The jewelry box that J and D gave me that held a blue topaz heart necklace (her birthstone) has engraved on the top, “Forever In My Heart.” So, yes, forever would have fit our family perfectly but always is pretty darn close, dontcha think? I do. And so I bought it.

And that solves the big dilemma on what to buy the Munchkin as she heads off to school. Though I do need to mention a few things: while I loved buying a backpack every year for school, I believe it would be an inappropriate gift from me. Why? That’s an everyday Mom kind of thing to buy. When I discussed it with D, she agreed. I’m not looking to step on toes; I’m looking to honor my daughter in my own way. That said, I’m also getting her an uber cool outfit (of which the specifics haven’t yet been finalized but it will be uber-hip). Outfit, necklace and best wishes. That sounds good, right?

And on her first day of school, I’ll wear my half of the necklace and sit outside in my backyard and pretend that I’m not crying.

Really, I’ll get to the emotions of this milestone soon. I just … can’t yet.