I Fell in Love Today...

...with the new music teacher at my daughter's school.

Well, I didn't know she was the new music teacher when I had my first experience of her.

Monday, my husband and I did the annual First Day of School Escort in full tearful parental regalia. But on Tuesday, as a matter of habit, I just rolled up to the front for the drop-off. She was feeling tentative, now that big brother is not accompanying her. I could have kicked myself for not realizing that.

As I pulled away, I noticed there were maybe five adults (school staff) standing on the front steps. Not one of them even glanced her way...Which is okay. I mean, it was a moment. I'm sure they had greeted, smiled at, noticed, other apprehensive tiny children entering school that morning.

But not my daughter. Aaaaargh!

Then, today, as I dropped my girl off, I saw a woman I'd never seen before actually opening the doors of cars as they pulled up! Saying hello! Using kids' names (including my daughter's)!! Smiling at them (her)! Who was that? I wondered. I made a mental note to find out and deify her.

So at dinner tonight, my daughter was all talk of her new music teacher. My ears perked up. Music is one of the delights of my life, and my daughter has music in her bones, but it hasn't been a great experience for my kids at school so far. There have been a lot of personnel upheavals in that department over the past four years, and I had my fingers crossed all summer that the new hire would set that right.

So tonight my daughter says, "I like my new music teacher."

Me (straightening up in my chair): You do?

Her: Yeah! She was that one in the front today, the one who talked to me.

Me (lump forming in throat): Really? Was she as nice inside the building as outside?

Daughter, smiling hugely: Oh, yes! And Mom! We didn't do any of that music stuff today! We sang!