Build-A-Bear

Being home with my brother is always an experience. Because he's so much younger than me, it means I get to relive the good and bad times of growing up. Today, for example, was definitely one of those days. Ben was going to the movies with friends, but we got to the mall early and went into the mall to find a birthday present for his "friend" Elizabeth. Elizabeth and another girl had given Ben a nice watch for Christmas and since her birthday was this past week, he wanted to give her something for her birthday at school on Monday.

We decided on making a Build-A-Bear, which meant that Ben, the 13 year old, had to go into Build-A-Bear with all of the eight and nine year olds. That in itself was mortifying enough, much less actually making a bear and then having to carry it through the mall (that was my job). The lady who put all the stuffing in the bear didn't help the situation by asking Ben who Elizabeth was (a girlfriend or a girl friend....there's a big difference according to her). She had Ben kissing and rubbing the heart that goes into the bear all over and even had him jumping up and down. I thought Ben was just going to die of embarrassment. When we finally left, Ben's face was bright red and I thought he wouldn't make it to the movie. He seemed very relieved when his friends showed up and made no comment about the fact I was carrying a Build-A-Bear box or anything of the sort.

The whole experience made me remember how embarrassing middle school can be. Everything you do is judged, watched, and therefore, extremely embarrassing. It's a miracle I made it out alive. At the same time, middle school can be so exciting with first crushes, first groups of real friends and finally feeling somewhat like an adult. Good luck Ben! It's a tough road ahead, but if you can make it out of Build-A-Bear, you can do anything.