# The Small Girl Turns 7 in a few minutes **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 16, 2012, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-small-girl-turns-7-in-a-few-minutes/637845 "2012-10-16T03:50:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2012, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-small-girl-turns-7-in-a-few-minutes/637845/1 "2012-10-16T03:50:49Z")
Soon it is my little girl’s birthday. She’s 7 years old. Lordy lordy, how time flies. I’ve talked every year about the Small One and I am not sure what to add, except that if you read that stuff, it’s like that, but more. The love I have for this little kid is simply beyond my capacity to describe. This year I got to take my princess to California, where we simply drove around and saw awesome things and did awesome things, together. Oh, we saw some sights - the Monterey Bay aquarium, Santa Cruz, wild sea lions, the Golden Gate, stuff like that. IT was a pretty light week tho. One day we just laid around playing video games and we spent a lot of time just driving. But what pure fun we had just being together. Being together with my Small One, well, I can think of nothing better. By virtue of being divorced, I spend exactly 50% of my free time with Maddy. The other 50% I don’t, and the loneliness I feel when I’m home without her is so crushing it’s indescribable. So I keep busy on those nights; I hardly ever stay in. I do standup comedy, as many of you may know; I play softball. I see friends. When I’m out making people laugh or playing ball I feel great. But as wonderful as it is - and comedy, especially, is a joy to me - tonight, where Maddy and I just hanged around the living room, playing with her birthday toys and video games, laughing and joking and eating grilled cheese sandwiches, was better. She’s quite simply a joy beyond my wildest dreams. Sh’e a delightful, kind, considerate, friendly, gentle little girl. She’s smart and interesting and creative. And she loves me. How could I ask for more? I love you, Maddy. You’ll always be my Small One. ---
**Author:** ![iftheresaway](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ecae2f/32.png) [@iftheresaway](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iftheresaway)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2012, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-small-girl-turns-7-in-a-few-minutes/637845/2 "2012-10-16T04:52:01Z")
Love to read this! And I hope you’re writing it down for her somewhere - maybe letters to give to her when she’s 18, or when she gets married? My dad passed away last year, and I’m glad I have some birthday cards and things like that to remember his handwriting and his great sense of humor and his love for me. ---
**Author:** ![Antigen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/848f3c/32.png) [@Antigen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antigen)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2012, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-small-girl-turns-7-in-a-few-minutes/637845/3 "2012-10-16T05:10:28Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Soon it is my little girl’s birthday. She’s 7 years old. Lordy lordy, how time flies. Happy birthday to the Small One! It’s a good day for a birthday, if I do say so myself. 😃 It’s also National Boss’ Day, so maybe you can let her be the boss of you for the day! ---
**Author:** ![maggenpye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecc23a/32.png) [@maggenpye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maggenpye)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2012, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-small-girl-turns-7-in-a-few-minutes/637845/4 "2012-10-16T06:00:11Z")
Good on ya for staying involved and making Maddie the priority when she’s with you. I love hearing about dads like you. Happy birthday from a random internet stranger to your precious kidlet! ---
**Author:** ![Gagundathar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a183cd/32.png) [@Gagundathar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gagundathar)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2012, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-small-girl-turns-7-in-a-few-minutes/637845/5 "2012-10-16T06:18:03Z")
You, sir, are a GREAT FATHER! Be proud of Maddy and of yourself. A girl needs her father, and you are there for her when you can be. I am certain she knows you love her and that is all anyone can ask. You are both lucky. And belated Happy Birthday, Small One! ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2012, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-small-girl-turns-7-in-a-few-minutes/637845/6 "2012-10-16T15:47:03Z")
Reading my OP I made it sound like she spends less of her time with me than she does. She spends half her time with me, not just half my “free time.” Just clearing that up. ---
**Author:** ![LavenderBlue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e95f7d/32.png) [@LavenderBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LavenderBlue)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2012, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-small-girl-turns-7-in-a-few-minutes/637845/7 "2012-10-16T16:45:20Z")
I have a nine year old Small Girl of my own. I just love reading your posts about your Small Girl. Happy birthday to her! ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2012, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-small-girl-turns-7-in-a-few-minutes/637845/8 "2012-10-16T17:21:15Z")
My Small One’s birthday is the day before yours, the day you started the thread. Except my Small One turned 21. _Sigh._ Happy Birthday to Maddy. If you thought the time flies between zero and seven, here’s a hint - it accelerates thereafter. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2012, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-small-girl-turns-7-in-a-few-minutes/637845/9 "2012-10-16T18:39:23Z")
Ain’t it the truth. I don’t have kids but I have nieces and a nephew. I wrote a song and dedicated it to my niece mere hours after she was born. Now I’m re-recording it so it can be played… …at her wedding. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Doom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/0ea827/32.png) [@Dr\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Doom)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2012, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-small-girl-turns-7-in-a-few-minutes/637845/10 "2012-10-16T18:47:36Z")
My small girl turned 16 (youngest of 3) a couple weeks ago. She’s not so small, anymore. I’m happy to hear of your happiness. Cherish Small One whilst small she still be, as the teen years bring about emotional and attitude changes that are sometimes difficult to fathom, and largely unexplainable. Good Luck! ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2012, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-small-girl-turns-7-in-a-few-minutes/637845/11 "2012-10-16T19:19:31Z")
> [@Dr\_Doom](#): > > My small girl turned 16 (youngest of 3) a couple weeks ago. She’s not so small, anymore. > > I’m happy to hear of your happiness. > > Cherish Small One whilst small she still be, as the teen years bring about emotional and attitude changes that are sometimes difficult to fathom, and largely unexplainable. > > Good Luck! So true. When my daughter was 7 she wanted to go ANYWHERE with me and spend time with me. So, I was the one driving to skating, and swimming and sometimes dance, and she came with me to get groceries and we had a blast. Well, she’s almost 15 now and spends most time in her bedroom doing homework, or listening to music, or on Facebook, etc. She’ll only be seen with me when there’s something in it for her. It’s funny how the relationship changes. I mean, we get along fine, but the days of being thrilled to be with daddy are gone. They slipped away when I wasn’t looking. Enjoy every moment of this age **RickJay**. As much as you don’t think things will ever change, they will. It’s normal. ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2012, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-small-girl-turns-7-in-a-few-minutes/637845/12 "2012-10-16T21:27:22Z")
> [@](#): > > Maddy and I just hanged around the living room Does that mean that this is a zombie thread? ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2012, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-small-girl-turns-7-in-a-few-minutes/637845/13 "2012-10-17T03:14:28Z")
(nevermind) ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2012, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-small-girl-turns-7-in-a-few-minutes/637845/14 "2012-10-17T07:04:39Z")
I’ll state first that I have no children. But **RickJay** , after hearing your comments, I’ll add that, on occasion, I regret that a little bit. I’m glad to hear of your day with your daughter, and you seem like a great Dad. I’ll look forward to following your daughter’s progress as she grows up. ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2012, 7:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-small-girl-turns-7-in-a-few-minutes/637845/15 "2012-10-17T07:33:52Z")
Happy Birthday Maddy. Seven. Wow. My Littlest One is now two, and Beta-chan just turned four. At times I just want to do a Groundhog Day with them. Just have them always at this age. ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2012, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-small-girl-turns-7-in-a-few-minutes/637845/16 "2012-10-17T19:43:03Z")
Happy birthday to your little girl. My daughter is 14 months old and before she arrived I didn’t know it was possible to feel that much love for one person. I’m torn between wanting her to grow up so we can talk and hang out and do cool stuff together, and wanting her to stay as an adorable baby who says “Dada” and lights up the room with a four-toothed smile when I walk in. (She says “Dada” at her mother, her toy cat and the fridge too, just in case I start to feel too special.) Seven sounds a good age. We’ll have fun when she’s seven. Fifteen I’m not looking forward to so much, especially as I’ll be almost 50 by then. ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2012, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-small-girl-turns-7-in-a-few-minutes/637845/17 "2012-10-17T23:28:10Z")
Happy birthday to your little girl! My small boy turns 3 in a couple of months. He can be maddening one minute, enchanting the next. It’s so wonderful to see him grow up. He can talk now, but can’t quite say full, grammatical sentences. But he gets his interests across: “I hear BART train!” “Like it the tricycle!” ---
**Author:** ![robardin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/43a26b/32.png) [@robardin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robardin)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2012, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-small-girl-turns-7-in-a-few-minutes/637845/18 "2012-10-18T01:59:30Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > So true. When my daughter was 7 she wanted to go ANYWHERE with me and spend time with me. … Well, she’s almost 15 now and spends most time in her bedroom doing homework, or listening to music, or on Facebook, etc. She’ll only be seen with me when there’s something in it for her. It’s funny how the relationship changes. > > I mean, we get along fine, but the days of being thrilled to be with daddy are gone. They slipped away when I wasn’t looking. > > Enjoy every moment of this age **RickJay**. As much as you don’t think things will ever change, they will. It’s normal. _WAAAAH_ My girls are now 13 and 11. They still want time with me sporadically but definitely the Daddy’s Little Girl phase is long gone for them. It really is like the blink of an eye. I can still imagine turning a corner to see them at 8 and 6 years old. ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2012, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-small-girl-turns-7-in-a-few-minutes/637845/19 "2012-10-19T06:35:14Z")
Oh geez, I’m late for the party. ☹ Happy Birthday to yoooooo Happy Birthday to YOOOOOO Happy Birthday little RickJayKidlet… Happy Birthday to YOOOOOOOO Hip, Hip HOORAY!! Many happy returns little one! Best wishes from an old tart in Australia…if you ever come downunder, I’ll have a pressie for your seventh birthday anniversary!! Just give me warning, OK?? 😛