The Road Less Traveled

Before Scott Peck even wrote his book by that title my daughter had already launched herself down that road less traveled. And John McCain had no exclusive right to the title Maverick either. When J was 7 with her birthday looming in the near future, as always I would ask her what cake she would like for her birthday. This time she insisted, no, demanded that she have a bride and bridegroom on her cake. Trying to explain the idea behind brides and bridegrooms on wedding cakes and why she didn't exactly qualify did not convince my little princess one bit. She must have a bride and bridegroom topper on her cake. So I somewhat sheepishly entered a bakery and asked to purchase J's cake 'decoration'. I was surprised to find that several bakeries wouldn't part with said decoration without the accompanying wedding cake. I was desperate. There was no way I could face J without her cake decoration exactly as she wanted. Tired, disappointed, disgusted and more than a little irked, I entered one last bakery prepared to beg on my knees for that cake ornament. I blurted out my problem to the kindly shop keeper who laughed and handed me just the right bride and bridegroom cake decoration, no charge.

Proudly I placed the plastic couple, surrounded by 8 burning candles, on J's birthday cake. Everyone was gathered around the table with my princess at the head as I triumphantly carried her cake into the room. Thrilled, I watched her face as she saw her cake and was rewarded with a big grin. Later after presents were opened and the party guests had departed, I washed Mr. and Mrs. (her name for them) and gave them to J to play. Over the next several weeks I would see her playing with them, contented, and I knew my efforts to acquire Mr. and Mrs. was worth it.