Earlier this week, I shared some very BIG news with my small students. The man I love asked me to be his wife and I said “yes.” As we were driving home from a whirlwind weekend in Chicago, I turned to my fiancée Rob and wondered aloud “how will I tell my students?”
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By this time, I written a long list of best friends and close family members that I needed to inform in a special way. But I spend more time in the classroom with my kindergarten students than I do with anyone else. And teaching fills my heart with joy. How on Earth WOULD I tell my students?!?
And suddenly, I knew.
Lilly.
Before Spring Break, I introduced my students to the literary genius of Kevin Henkes and his beloved character, Lilly. We all LOVE Lilly and she is (hands-down) my all-time favorite children’s book character. Such a silly, sassy mouse.
What better way to announce my engagement to my kindergarten students, than by including Lilly in the conversation!
As soon as I had time, I made a quick trip to the local public library and picked up a copy of Lilly’s Big Day.
If you’re not already familiar with the story, I’ll give you a quick synopsis:
As soon as the young and exuberant Lilly finds out that her teacher, Mr. Slinger, is getting married; she immediately begins preparations to be his flower girl. It’s the cutest, sweetest, funniest obsession you will ever read about. As you would expect. Lilly is not chosen to be the flower girl in her teacher’s wedding, but Lilly saves the day in a very sweet way at the end of the story.
Armed with a ring on my finger, and a book in my hand; I was ready to share the news of my own Big Day with the class.
When I first sat down, I held the book in front of my students. They were instantly delighted to see their old friend, Lilly, on the cover. I explained that I had some news to share with them and that I selected the book especially for the occasion. And then I began to read…
Halfway through the very first page of the book, one of the girls in my classroom shouted out, “YOU’RE GETTING MARRIED!” I asked her how she knew, but I already knew the answer to that question. As soon as that little kindergarten girl heard the words “teacher” and “married”, she immediately put all of the pieces together.
I smiled and told the class that yes, I am getting married. They smiled and laughed and cheered a little and then I continued reading the story.
But I had to stop a lot to answer all of their questions.
At one point, one very excited student made a huge (although slightly inaccurate) realization and could not contain her self. She blurted out “When you get married, you’ll be MRS. Manore just like your mom!”
I laughed and explained that’s not quite how it works. I would become a “Mrs” but my name would change. As you would expect, this was immediately followed but the inevitable question: “What WILL your name be?”
I laughed because I was just WAITING for someone to ask this question.
Once I am married, I will become Mrs. Gavin. This is just fine and a perfectly ordinary name. Except for one thing. One of the students in my class is named Gavin. He’s silly and funny and provides entertainment for his classmates all day long. I knew that the class was going to think it was absolutely HYSTERICAL to hear that I would (kind of) share a name with this student.
We all had a good laugh. Except poor Gavin. He was a little confused and declared:
“But I’M not going to marry you!”
The confusion continued later that evening when one of the girls in my class told her parents that I was going to marry Gavin’s dad.
Goodness, I love all of these kids.
What a whirlwind of a week it has been! I will forever treasure the memory of Rob getting down on one knee as we strolled through Grant Park. I will also remember (and laugh) for many years to come about the day I told my kindergarten class of my Big Day.
I am truly blessed.
Ever since I announced my engagement on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter; I have been showered with congratulations and well-wishes from my fans. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone that has reached out in support and celebration.
My cup runneth over.
Congratulations Maria!
Congratulations!! What a way to tell your students!! Love the idea
Emily
Style Closet to Classroom
Oh I love the story about your student Gavin! How perfect that you had a student with that name this year. I have to tell you Gavin is a pretty great name and you will love it (it is my son’s name). Many congratulations again!!!
Stacey
Teaching Ever After
Congratulations! What a fun way to tell your students!
Such a cute story!! I had fun telling my kids too. The two funniest comments I got was “why didn’t you tell us?!?” And “but I thought you already had a Mr. Maor!” Lol! Kindergarten is the sweetest age 🙂
Your sweet story just brought tears to my eyes! I am SO happy for you, Maria!! I know I’ve already said that, but this precious story made me want to say it again!! The very best wishes to you, my friend!!
XO
Laura
Peace, Love, and First Grade
Great story! Congratulations again!
Your ring and story are beautiful! And really, regarding the Gavin part of your story, you just can’t make these things up!!
Love how you choose to tell your students by reading the book with Lilly. Congratulations!
~Laura
Luv My Kinders
So precious! I remember telling my students too.. they were so happy for me. Congratulations and I also love seeing you and your class in action in that beautiful classroom!
So precious! I remember telling my students too.. they were so happy for me. Congratulations and I also love seeing you and your class in action in that beautiful classroom!
Super cute way to share your exciting news! I love the reactions of your kiddos! Congratulations!
Wendy
One Happy Teacher
Such a cute way of sharing your news with your littles!! Sometimes kid reactions can be better than adult reactions :o) I have a similar story – When I was little (about 5 or 6) and my dad and stepmom told me that they were expecting twins, and when I told my mom, I very enthusiastically informed her that she would get to be a stepmom now too! Not quite the way it works, I think it’s funny how little kid brains work! Many congratulations to you :o)
Emily
Munchkins Inc.
Such a special thing to share with your students!
❀Jodi
Fun In First
What a sweet and cute way to explain it! And the Gavin thing…I die! What a funny little goober! 🙂
Dana
Maria, that’s such a sweet story! Congratulations! I can’t help but feel sorry for poor Gavin’s dad, he’s just the innocent bystander!
Erin
Short and Sassy Teacher
I know Erin! I feel sorry for him too! The poor guy must be the subject of so many kindergarten rumors right now 🙂
Sweet story ! Cherish every memory of this magical time …reminds me of sharing my news with my little ones 23 ago !
What a great story to use to share the exciting news. Congratulations!
Renee
Fantastic First Grade Froggies
Love, love, love, love, love.
LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Congratulations!
Congratulations again Maria! What an amazing moment to have captured with your little ones 🙂
Zoe
Oh-the-Little-Wonders
What a great way to share in the celebration with your kiddos! Congrats on your engagement. I am in the middle of wedding planning right now and it is busy, but so much fun! Enjoy every moment!
-Krista
The Second Grade Superkids
How sweet. I love that you connected it to a book. I was teaching 2nd grade when I eloped. The best is when they figure out you are pregnant…and deliver advice to your belly.
Congrats.
Jenn
Congratulations, Maria! I’m so happy for you!
What a sweet little story. Thank you for sharing it!
Congratulations! I just got married last weekend and my kinders are so excited. Mostly they want to know about the kissing at this point: Did you kiss? Are there any kissing pictures? Will you kiss him when you go home? Do you kiss on the lips? They are seriously the cutest, I’m so glad you get to share this moment with your class!
I love every single thing about this post! Love it! Congratulations from every corner of my heart!
This was such a sweet post! I loved hearing everything your little kinders said about your big event!! Congrats again!!!!
Rachel
A Tall Drink of Water
Congratulations Maria!!!! I just loved reading this, it was the sweetest post ever! I’m so happy for you!!
I am so happy for you!! And I love how you told your kids and you have pictures!!
That was the cutest story! I love how you told them, and of course congrats, but I said that on FB already. Ha ha. 🙂
Mels
Congrats again Maria. This is the first time I have had a chance to read your Teacher Blog. What a wonderful story you have shared with everyone on how you told your class about your engagement. I had to laugh as I could only think of how my two grand kids (ages 3 & 4) would respond to such a conversation. Thank you so much for sharing. You surely made my week. Love you.
Thank you Aunt Phillie! We love you too!
That was a beautiful way of announcing your engagement to the kids 🙂 Just loved the Gavin part. Best wishes.
Thank you, Vidhya!