I'll readily admit that I'm not the type of person who really loves to go shopping... after all, why look for something you like, but don't need, and don't have the money to pay for it?
However, there's one weakness in shopping that I like... baby clothes.
Funny, huh? This childless bachelor loves to shop for baby clothes. It's the thrill of the hunt coupled with the happiness that it brings to child (I'll explain later) and especially Mom.
I was in Baby Gap last week to buy something for my friends' newborn (Isaiah, born 9/12) before heading back to Gulf Breeze for the weekend. I walked in and the saleswomen (and they were all women in the store) and immediately came over, probably thinking I'd mistakenly thought I was walking into Footlocker and needed re-direction. They paused though, as they saw continue my journey in.
"May I help you?" a very cute saleswoman asked. Of course, all the cute college girls work at the Gap.
"Oh, I'm looking for something for my friend's newborn," I replied without removing an eye off the sales rack.
"Ahhhhh...." she and another saleswoman nearby cooed.
So begins the game. I flirt. They ask about the baby. I pretend I don't know what I'm doing. They flirt. I pick out something and ask if this looks "cute."
Before I know it, I've bought something for Isaiah, and to continue the game, I buy something for my godson, Wesley. (I thought it was important to buy something for Wesley too, because I didn't want him to have jealousy issues if he saw his younger brother was getting something.)
I pay for the clothes and ask charmingly, "Would you happen to have any gift boxes? I don't think I'd have time to run into Wal-Mart."
"Oh, sure. No problem."
I just thought she'd put some boxes in my bag, like they do at any department store and that's it. No, she goes above and beyond and meticulously removes the tags, wraps the gifts and does whatever you do to ribbon to make it look like you've wrapped the Holy Grail.
I smile and thank her with my "ohhhh" and "ahhhh." And she smiles back as I leave and say, "you're awesome, hun.... just awesome."
Ah.... the game.
That's not all, though.
Do you remember as a child getting gifts wrapped up in shiny paper and glossy ribbon?
Remember the disappointment when you opened it up and saw it wasn't a toy, but some clothes?
I never knew a kid who loved to get clothes... until I gave that gift to Wesley.
He opened the box, saw the new light blue and bright red polo and screamed with joy. He did his little toddler dance, took off his shirt right in the living room and put on the shirt. The rest of the evening, he was a sudden ball of energy, yelling and screaming and having fun with his "Ninong."
Filipinos believe that godchildren bring you good luck... I've been lucky, indeed.
