Page 61 of Yours Until Forever

I want more encouragement, yes.

Gage:

We don’t need to give every kid a prize. It waters it down.

Me:

It’s not watering it down. It’s celebrating different strengths.

Gage:

So we’re rewarding them just for showing up?

Me:

No. We’re making sure no one walks away feeling like they failed. There’s a difference.

Gage:

Kids survive not winning, Amelia. Let them learn to be proud of the work, not the ribbon.

Me:

They’re little kids, Gage. One kind word on a certificate could be the reason they keep loving science. I’m thinking awards like “Most Curious Concept” and “Most Passionate Presentation” and “The Einstein Enthusiasm Award.”

Gage:

Those aren’t real metrics.

Me:

They could be.

Gage:

Let the record show you talked me into this with absolutely no logic and a lot of charm.

WEDNESDAY

Tim:

So now that we know you’ve officially entered your dating era, I have names.

Me:

Names? And I never said I was in my dating era.

Colin:

You really did.

Tim:

Names of guys I could set you up with. Solid options. My Dating Era Dream Men List has a firefighter, a dog bakery owner, a lumberjack-themed influencer, and a librarian who reviews romance novels on TikTok on it so far. I’m handing you flavor. Don’t waste it.

Me:

Absolutely not.