When I was a child “Black Friday” represented that time each night, when the lights went out, and I had to go to bed. When I was in high school “Black Friday” represented the day that my report card came home ( I was a 2.something GPA kid). When I was in my twenty’s “Black Friday” represented the next day at work, after coming in from the night before at 1:30 am. Now that I am a dad to a fourteen year old “Black Friday” has taken on a brand new meaning.
Last week my daughter asked me if I would go to “Black Friday” with her? Why not, I don’t mind getting up at 6:30 a.m. to spend some quality time with Michaela. Then she informed me that we would be getting up at 4:00 a.m. What? “Only the crazy people get up at 4:00 a.m. to shop” I said. “No way Dad”, in order to get the best deals we need to be there no later than 4:20. “Alright honey lets do it” I said.
Well Friday morning came and Michaela handed me a folder detailing our agenda for the day. She had every store that we would be going to listed, coupons for each store, what I was required to get at each store, and believe it or not, the floor plan of each store. Needless to say she is a bit organized. We started out at Super Target. My first thought was who in their right mind would go to Super Target at 4:00 am. Don’t most “Black Friday” shoppers go to the mall or some electronics store? At least those are the videos I see each year on TV of the the ensuing chaos that accompanies “Black Friday”. How wrong was I? When we arrived at 4:20 a.m. there was not one shopping cart left in the entire store. Luckily for me my only job was to find the “Vampire Diaries Collection” at 75% off. Fortunately, this did not require a shopping cart. Unfortunately, Michael’s list did require a shopping cart, so there I am at 4:35 a.m. following shoppers out to their car to get their cart from them and head back in to meet Michaela. One thing that I learned about shoppers on “Black Friday” is that, although they may show up in slippers and PJ’s, do not underestimate their resolve. There is nothing scarier than a woman hopped up on coffee and Red Bull, coupon’s in hand, and a shopping cart without brakes headed right for you. I can personally attest to the fact ,that you are best served to stay out of the thier way, and concede the last I-Pod to them. If you don’t, I guarantee that you are going to get ran over.
Well we survived the Super Target chaos without any bumps, bruises or arguments. Now it was 5:30 am and we were off to Old Navy. I felt like a seasoned veteran once we hit that store. The nice thing about Old Navy is that it was filled with teenage girls who at least know how to handle their Red Bull. As I watched Michaela pull out her list and coupons I felt so proud of her. She was polite, organized and frugal all at once. She even told me that if I was good she would take me to breakfast before we continued on. Talk about role reversal:)
Well breakfast came and went. I was kind of hoping that she was getting tired but shoppers on “Black Friday” don’t get tired they only build up strength. Unfortunately for me I was not. Two stores later I was done. Fortunately for me Michaela’s friends were waiting for her at the Mall to continue on their quest.
As I dropped her off at the Mall I couldn’t help to think how proud of her I was. It seemed like just yesterday that I was sneaking toys into the house from Santa, while she was fast asleep, and now here she is at 14 and turning into a beautiful young women. It always seems like our children grow up so fast that we don’t even get the chance to enjoy them. Then there are those moments in our lives where we get to watch them grow up right in front of us. Who would have thought that getting up at 4:00 am on “Black Friday” would have been one of those defining moments for me. I can’t wait for next years “Black Friday” chaos….
Bill McLeod is the founder of www.singleparentstown.com and author of “Kickin Butt as a Single Parent – 99 Tips That Every Single Parent Must Have” He can be reached at bill@singleparentstown.com
I love it, what a cute story. Your daughter is precious, and how sweet that she wanted to share this event with her dad!