A dad.

I wrote about being Marguerite's step-mom here and I've written a lot about Xavier being Marguerite's dad. I have high standards when it comes to dads - mine is amazing. Xavier flies high as well. If you know Xavier, you know that he always wears two baby pink silly bands on his wrist. He hasn't removed them in over a year. They were a gift from Mlle. Marguerite, now cherished by her dad - a constant reminder of her. Being a dad hasn't been traditional or easy for Xavier. Since he and Marguerite's mom split very early on in her life, he's had to take the reigns every moment she is with him in a way he might not have otherwise had to do (a blessing in lots of ways). He has been spectacular. Nothing daunts him - not food or baths, not diapers, not tantrums. When Marguerite has a nightmare, she hollers "Papa!" When Marguerite's strong little personality surfaces - when "elle fait son cinema" (makes a fuss/drama) - Xavier calls it exactly like it is, speaks to her as he will when she is 15 or 20 or 45 (always has) and she knows the drama won't take her far. When there is fun to be had, Xavier is there to act out any character or to spice up her story time with extra characters and scenarios. She knows that her papa loves les bêtises and she shares his passion for mischief. They call each other "renard(e)" (fox).

So, yesterday, she called for father's day and she asked me to give Xavier "une surprise" for both of us. Documentation to follow - but her surprise, to be carried out by me (to my relish), was a cream tart in Xavier's face. A wonderful father's day surprise indeed. Quelle renarde, Marguerite.