My Son Has a Crush on the Statue of Liberty

It is true.

My 4 year old has a crush and it's on a taller, older French woman who lives in New York.

OK fine, it's on a statue.

So far in his 4 whole years, he's had crushes on the following (but not limited to):

• Ariel
• Snow White
• Bo Peep (Toy Story)
• Jessie (Toy Story)
• Some teenager at the mall play area who was texting only to find a 4 year old crawling up to her like a tiger and roaring the sexy roar

Oh the list goes on and on. He likes the ladies. And I don't know where he gets it from. I mean, it's not like my husband tried to impress the ladies by wearing a suit, cologne and carrying a briefcase to Kindergarten or anything.

Oh wait. YES HE DID.

So anyway, my point is that it's by far not his first crush. It's just his first crush on a statue. (Or at least just the first that I know about.)

We've been reading a book about the Statue of Liberty every night (sometimes twice) and we've had some pretty in depth 4 year old discussions about "freedom" (being able to make your own choices), about her torch (her "light") and about where she lives ("in New York, near Uncle Bobby.")

He asks about why she's stuck in the middle of the water and if she's sad about it and he talks about her as if she's real even though we saw pictures of people building her.

Here I am thinking that he's interested in America's deep history and the symbols of our freedom.

Meantime, he's got the hots for a statue.

It became clear to me the other day when he was sitting on the recliner clutching his little book about Lady Liberty. He was looking longingly into her (stone) eyes when he said, "I wish she was real."

And I swear I heard a little 4 year old sigh afterward.

At first I thought, well that's an odd thing to say. But then I moved on to making dinner. I mean, really? A crush on the Statue of Liberty? That's just silly talk.

But a few days later I was going through my pictures of Vegas and what appeared before us of course but a picture of the Statue of Liberty that I took outside the New York, New York hotel and that's when he loudly and proudly proclaimed his love. "I LOVE HER!" he exclaimed. He could contain his love no longer.

And after his proclamation he got this smirk on his face, the kind you get when you see someone you have a huge crush on and you're embarrassed about it. And I said, "Oh really? You love the Statue of Liberty? Why?" or what I was really thinking: "WHY ON EARTH WHY?"

To which he responded: "She's pretty. And boys like pretty things."

Well then. Can't argue with that.

But I still can't help but wonder what's so appealing about the Statue of Liberty.

I mean, what is it specifically about Miss Liberty that has him captivated? (It is "Miss" right? There's no "Mr. Liberty" floating around anywhere is there?)

Is it her height? I mean, she's pretty tall. I would think that might be a problem, though. I mean, he's shorter than I am right now and I'm pretty short.

Is it her age? She is a cougar. She is more than 100 years old. She could be his sugar-mama. Right? Well not until he's 18 at least. Let's not get ahead of ourselves here. That would just be creepy.
Maybe it's the way she dresses? That's a pretty stylish frock she has on there.


Her crown?

Her torch?

I guess to him, she has a special "je ne se qua." I mean, she is French.

I tried drilling him for more information because I'm both curious and mystified at the special love and affection he has in his little baby heart for the Statue of Liberty.

But he's not talking.

And I don't mind. For now.

But I do hope it's a phase. Because later on, well, that could be awkward.

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So tell me, have you or any of your little people have odd crushes?

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