We have all experienced times where our expectations and reality didn't match. Usually it is when a situation or person doesn't live up to what we thought it would be, and we are disappointed. It's a part of life and we've all accepted that. But sometimes, we are pleasantly surprised, even having wonderful moments in the most unxpected places.
Weeks ago I bought tickets for the four of us to go see the Hannah Montana movie this morning. I have been griping about it ever since. Not in an "I will groan because it is not cool, but secretly I am excited" kind of way - in a genuinely "I would rather eat my own eyeballs than go through with this" kind of way. But I had resigned myself to sitting through it because I knew the kids would love it, and that's what parents do. I know my mom sat through her fair share of Chipmunks and My Little Pony and goodness knows what else.
So off we went this morning. We stood in line, were issued 3-D glasses (I rolled my eyes at that idea too) and when the teenager behind the glass said "enjoy the show" I responded with "Oh yeah, I am sure I will have the time of my life" in a voice dripping with not only sarcasm but genuine contempt.
There we were, surrounded by mothers dressed up like rockers from the 80s (I kid you not - bedazzled purses, big hair and belts, the whole package) and their mini-Montanas, complete with sparkles and wigs and lots and lots of merchandise beraing the likeness of the Part Time Pop Star herself. And then, it started. I settled in for the ride.
About ten minutes into the show, my mean heart was melted. As I watched my little girl be-bopping in her seat, singing along and genuinely caught up in the joy of the experience, I found her enthusiasm contagious. An hour and a half later, Miley Cyrus belted out the theme song I have heard so often, and I sat watching Anyka bounce along on Chad's lap, completely entranced. She doesn't care that the whole thing is a mass-marketing mania created by Disney and Wal-Mart to make tons of money. She doesn't care that her lack of depth perception makes the 3-D film inaccessible to her. All she knows is that she loves, loves, LOVES the music, the dancing, and the hoopla that accompanies the whole presentation.
I realized that I am, in fact, old. I am not the "cool mom" that I always thought I would be. I am just like every other parent, a generation away from all the things their kids love best. I am every bit as guilty of being irritated at High School Musical the fortieth time it is played in a weekend. But I love my kids, and seeing them happy makes even the Hannah Montana movie a worthwhile experience.
