Wednesday, October 23, 2013

I Will Always Have Boogie Wipes

Remember that episode of Friends episode when Ross' son Ben was born?  Monica proudly proclaims through tears "I'm you're Aunt Monica....I will always have gum."  I'm that same way...except that instead of gum, I will always have Boogie Wipes.

I have previously professed my love of Boogie Wipes here on the blog.  Seriously, they are the best.  I am currently having a little bit of the sniffles and thankful that no matter where I am, I have stashed a pack of boogie wipes nearby. In the event I don't have Boogie Wipes?  Well, while that it a most unfortunate situation, I will most definitely have a back up of baby wipes/wet wipes.

Yes, I am THAT person with a Mary Poppins bag full of more stuff than you can shake a stick at. MVP and my friends have often laughed at me for this.  You know...UNTIL someone needs something.  Tailgating and going to brave the port-o-potties?  I'm the girl you want with you -- I will send you in with some wet wipes/napkins (just in case!) and when you return I will have you hold out your hands and will hit you up with some Purell.  That's me.  Love it or leave it.

Recently I had an experience that has really stuck with me....and will remind me to ALWAYS pack my Boogie Wipes.

The Columbus Day Holiday weekend gave me a chance to get up to PA and meet my cute little nugget nephew.  He is just so.....I mean there are no words.  I could have sat there and held him for days.  We also got to stay with MVP's sister for the night and get in a visit with his niece, who is 9 months old.  Even though she was a little under the weather and not feeling quite like herself, she was still too cute for words and I love seeing MVP get to spend time with her.  It was a niece and nephew two-for-one weekend.

Before our trek from PA back to VA we decided to stop at Franklin Mills Mall.  We had memories of it from when we were younger and thought why not, we don't have to rush to get home.  While we WERE able to score some good deals on some new Phillies and Eagles gear, the mall was....well, not *exactly* what we remembered it to be from 20+ years ago, let's say that.

Nevertheless, we decided to walk around just to see how it had changed.  As we walked, I noticed a little girl walk past us.  I looked at her and thought that her face looked red...like she had been crying.  I then became aware that there was no one else with her and told MVP we needed to turn around and follow that girl.  I called after her then hurried and caught up with her as she slowed down.  I crouched down and introduced myself, and asked her if she was ok.  She stared at me with wide sad eyes that made my heart feel like it was going to burst into a million pieces.

"Are you lost?" I asked her.

She nodded.

"That's ok," I reassured her.  "The same thing happened to me when I was a little girl. What's your name?"

"Mia" she said, her little lip trembling.

"Mia...that's such a pretty name!  My name is Deviled Megs and this is my friend MVP.  We're going to help you find your family so don't worry."
[Obvs I used our real name.s...I didn't need Mia to think her fate was in the hands of two weirdos!]

And while MVP went to flag down a security guard to help us, I pulled out my Boogie Wipes and helped little Mia dry her tears and blow her nose.  I asked her who she was at the mall with today and she said her mommy.  I told her I loved her pretty pink sweater and asked her what color shirt or sweater her mommy had worn to the mall today.  "Brown."

In less than 10 minutes we reunited Mia with her mother.  I really cannot even imagine the emotions Mia's mother must have gone through when she realized her little girl was lost but I was so thankful to be there for the happy ending.  The look in her eyes as she mouthed the words "Thank You" to me...well I don't know if I will ever forget her face.

Without getting too deep or philosophical about the experience, I really do feel like there was some divine intervention that had us decide to make that unplanned stop at the mall.  Some other force at work that had us decide to walk around for a bit...so they we could find little Mia and help her get back to her family.  And in all of that....I can say that there was a huge payoff for this childless 30-something and her penchant for Boogie Wipes.  It may not be exactly the kind of product endorsement they are looking for, but I will be a loyal customer for life!