so heather, heather’s mom and the girls were downtown shopping late this afternoon so i told her i would call her when i was off of work. i called and she was at anthropologie and maddie was at borders with grammie sharon in search of a potty. i decided i would lurk in borders waiting for them and then scare maddie when she walked by. sure enough. they were emerging from the bottom floor up the staircase and i quickly slinked over to the side. they passed and i ran up behind her and tickled her under her arms. she was scared, elated and freaked out. it was awesome. she instantly held my hand and leaped into my arms and wanted to be carried. she then gave me a bear hug. it was heaven. all the cares of the day vanished and i felt like the best dad ever.