"Tess-ism"

So one of my most favorite students is "Tess" she is the most adorable girl and I've had the privilege of working with her for 4 years of the 5 years I've taught! "Tess" has downs syndrome. At first I was so nervous being her teacher, but she's helped me think about teaching in a different way. She has the sweetest spirit about her and I absolutely love her and her entire family. So I just have to write down a few of my most favorite moments this past few months. She's now in sixth grade and will be moving on to the junior high next year. It makes me sad to think that she won't be back.

So this year I met Stephen and got engaged. When I told my kids that I was getting married, most of them were excited. But it didn't last as long as "Tess". She is way into Disney Princess and thought this was just like you'd see on Cinderella or Sleeping Beauty. She would keep asking me.... "You wear pretty dress? You Princess?" or "What his name? Is He boy?" Day after day I would get these darling questions with a giggle from her when I would respond that yes I'd wear a pretty dress and yes he is a boy named Stephen.

Her mom found out the news after school one day and was asking what my new name would be. She told me that she would love to bring he to the reception and start practicing my new name with her so that she would realize why my name is changing.

At first she'd started coming to school saying "Mrs. Hold-You." It was really cute and the other kids were confused at what she was trying to say or do, until I explained it to them.

Then after I sent an announcement/invite to the reception home, she would come into my office every morning before school and find my picture of Stephen on my desk. She would say "Stephen--You marry him" Then she would try to pose like we were posed in our engagement picture with me by linking our arms together. It took me a while to figure out what she was trying to do and then it clicked one day after she kept doing the same thing over and over again.

As crazy as my wedding day was, I do remember when her and her entire family made the drive from Springville to Bountiful just for my reception. They were so darling. As they were waiting in line she kept trying to wave at me. I finally looked over and saw her standing there. I waved to her and she was so shy, but had the biggest smile on her face. When they got to my parents who were first in line, she just came right over to me and gave me the biggest hug. I just wanted to cry right then and there it was so sweet. She wouldn't say anything and I think she was so shy seeing me in a different environment than at school and with a big group of people around.

After I got back from my honeymoon she would always tell me... "You married. You have pretty white dress. You kiss." and then she would try to kiss me on the lips. After doing this a few times, I had to talk with her about "kissing" What great memories! I will always remember this little girl!