Once upon a time, there was a soon-to-be-blogger named Shannon. She was about to start a little blog of very little import. It was to be her dirty little secret, you know?
Anyway, one day she was at her best friend’s house, painting a dining room or something, and her best friend’s three maybe four year old son came up to ask her a question. This soon-to-be-blogger, she was also a mother of two boys, and if there was one thing in life she was good at, it was tuning kids out. She hardly even noticed the “um, um, excuuuuuuuuse me…” and the tug-tug-tug on her shirt. The Kid’s mother didn’t notice either, really. Shannon and her best friend never got to hang out, and when they did, the world just had to stop turning until they were done. The pleases grew louder, the tugs grew firmer until The Kid was done. He’d had it. He stood in between The soon-to-be-blogger named Shannon and her best friend and said very loudly, “HEY MISTER LADY! Can I…”
Whatever he’d wanted was totally irrelevant. He’d forgotten his friend’s moms name, and the only thing he could think to call her was Mr Lady. Shannon and her best friend about died laughing. A few years later, about a year into Shannon’s blog, her best friend reminded her of that day. And that, my friends, is how Mr Lady came to be.
Today is The Kid’s 9th birthday. I was trying to think of something profound to say to him, but he’s, well, nine. He probably doesn’t give a rat’s ass what his crazy Canadian auntie has to say about him on some weird website. Also, I’ve kind of already said it and I don’t think I could do it better a second time. That’s one of my favorite posts I’ve ever written in my life, because it’s one of my favorite things that has ever happened to me in my life.
Happy birthday, Kid. Thank you for changing my life, your mom’s life, everyone’s life. I owe you, kiddo, more than you’ll ever know.
Tagged with: birthday, the kid, where mr lady came from
Maria
Sunday, 8 February, 2009 at 17:01Okay that was awesome and adorable.
I always think of “Doctor Girlfriend” from Venture Brothers when I hear Mr. Lady.
Melisa
Sunday, 8 February, 2009 at 17:23He could have called you much worse, huh?
I love this story.
Veronica
Sunday, 8 February, 2009 at 17:51Love it and Happy Birthday to him!
Shannon
Sunday, 8 February, 2009 at 18:01Love it! I always wondered how you came up with that one. :)
Ree
Sunday, 8 February, 2009 at 18:06What sweet photos. Happy Birthday Kid.
super mama
Sunday, 8 February, 2009 at 18:33lol…and the name stuck awsome! love it :D
One Mom's Opinion
Sunday, 8 February, 2009 at 18:47I can’t help but be reminded how quickly the kids are growing up. Great story of how you became Mr. Lady. Who knew that The Kid was responsible? Just grand.
Ms. Maxwell
Sunday, 8 February, 2009 at 20:00And in spite of the photo of you in The Boots, I still see Mr. Lady as that LEGO character from Fury’s LEGO Superclub. Sorry.
April
Sunday, 8 February, 2009 at 20:02Aha!
Happy bday, TK!
flickrlovr
Sunday, 8 February, 2009 at 20:53Okay, so I just typed in ‘lickrlovr’ instead of, well, putting the ‘f’. And about peed my pants laughing. I should’ve left it.
What a sweetie he is-and dude, he deserves every penny of those royalties you’ll be paying soon…who else could’ve come up with Mr Lady?!?
daysgoby
Sunday, 8 February, 2009 at 21:07LOVE the explanation!
What a sweet kid.
Jessica Bern
Sunday, 8 February, 2009 at 23:06Mr. Lady. Now, if that were me, I’d think he was commenting on my ever growing mustache
Mommy Cracked
Sunday, 8 February, 2009 at 23:33So THAT explains it! That’s terribly cute…and very clever of him!
Kat
Monday, 9 February, 2009 at 4:04good thing he didn’t call you effin beeyotch…that wouldn’t be as cute a story, eh?
micki
Monday, 9 February, 2009 at 5:12When my son was younger he couldn’t remember his Uncles’s name. He got two new uncles at the same time as both his aunts got married within a month of each other. He remembered Uncle Joey, because he saw him more. It was fried crab day and he was sitting with Uncle Joey, Pop-Pop, his daddy, Uncle Rich and the other new uncle. Since he couldn’t remember John’s name he said,” Hey, Uncle Other Guy, can you give me a another crab?” Uncle Other Guy was officially welcomed into our family with his new nickname and we never let that honorific go.
Amo
Monday, 9 February, 2009 at 7:15I love that story! It reminds me of my best friend, Jae. I just moved 6 hours from her when we lived 6 minutes away (walking). Ug.
Gotta go call her…
Thank you.
The Mad White Woman
Monday, 9 February, 2009 at 7:47What a great story…and a great outcome! Happy Birthday Kid!
Mike Marshall
Monday, 9 February, 2009 at 8:18Hey Mr Lady! (sreamed in my best Dennis the Menace voice.) Thank You. Peace, Mike.
Lee of MWOB
Monday, 9 February, 2009 at 10:10Okay I went and read the whole thing. It was awesome. Simple as that. It was all so super duper awesome.
Happy Birthday to that brilliant kid.
:-)
Angela
Monday, 9 February, 2009 at 10:14Wow. I had wondered where that came from. Happy Birthday to The Kid.
tena
Monday, 9 February, 2009 at 10:17I had always wondered- happy birthday to him!
Kelly
Monday, 9 February, 2009 at 10:22Cute! I wish that my best friend was a blogger too. She’s such a pain in the ass. Anyway, great story!
Jill
Monday, 9 February, 2009 at 10:34ha! I always wondered where that came from. My 4 year old just calls everybody so and so’s mom if he can’t remember their name. He called his own aunt “Joey’s mom” the other day. Brains like traps and sieves all at the same time!
molly_g
Monday, 9 February, 2009 at 10:46nub noo.
The Kid nubs noo too.
nichole
Monday, 9 February, 2009 at 10:48You have eased the mind of thousands who have always wondered why you were Mr. Lady. I’m am pleased to find out that it isn’t because you had a surgery (not that there would be anything wrong with that).
ali
Monday, 9 February, 2009 at 12:12i love that the name has such a good story to go with it ;)
Robina
Monday, 9 February, 2009 at 12:53I’ve always wondered how you got that name. And what a great story!
And those pictures are so cute!
Matt
Monday, 9 February, 2009 at 13:31So THAT’s the reason. I always just assumed it was because you really liked the Lunachicks. I actually like your explanation much better. And your post on Molly’s site was beautiful, as always. Its a strong testament to what kind of friend you are that you would willingly let your house get dirty just to make someone else feel better. Solid.
Kim
Monday, 9 February, 2009 at 14:53Too cute! That bikini baby is adorable.
Deb
Monday, 9 February, 2009 at 15:09Awesome story. Gotta love Aquarians. We can’t remember shit, but our bluffs are rarely dull.
ruthibelle
Monday, 9 February, 2009 at 15:57Sooooo sweet. And let’s hope he doesnt charge royalties…
Jaina
Monday, 9 February, 2009 at 16:40Haha, I’d always wondered where you came up with that name. Happy Birthday buddy!
Aimee Greeblemonkey
Monday, 9 February, 2009 at 16:59I can’t believe that punk used to run around nekkid in my back yard. Cute then, even cuter now.
Aimee Greeblemonkey
Monday, 9 February, 2009 at 17:13Um. Clearly I need to read more closely. Wrong punk. Still cute.
DC Urban Dad
Monday, 9 February, 2009 at 20:57Thanks for ending the mystery. I can die now. Life is complete.
molly_g
Tuesday, 10 February, 2009 at 0:35I just came back to say that that first picture is totally cracking me up. 1of3 is totally over it. 2of3 is all about doing the Michael Jackson (seriously… Did he have to go to the bathroom or what? Every picture we have between both of our cameras of that shot he’s holding his junk). The Kid is just all… “This shit is totally crusting all over my face and I’m going to hold it together, I’m going to hold it together, imgoingtoholdittogether….” And then 3of3′s little blond whisps… Ah, that was a heavenly day, dude.
below 14th
Wednesday, 11 February, 2009 at 17:20Mr Lady is the most kickass name.
Courtney
Wednesday, 11 February, 2009 at 23:07That’s so cute! Happy belated birthday to The Kid!
Missives From Suburbia
Friday, 13 February, 2009 at 23:30The last mystery is solved. I can die in peace now.
emma
Tuesday, 17 February, 2009 at 1:11I’ve been so curious. Thanks for the explanation on Mr. Lady! Cute kids too.