Gar-Bear

I want to tell you about the most rewarding and challenging part of helping teach 3rd grade at Trinity Classical Academy: Garrett Combs. Garrett is one of the funniest children I have ever met, but also the most difficult to teach. I always like to say that Garrett reminds me of what Shay Thomason was like as a child. Rarely can you look over at Garrett and find him sitting still, ready to learn. More often than not, Garrett is squirming in his seat with his imaginary gun in his hand ready to shoot the enemies he has pictured in his mind. In line, while every other student is walking in line silently, Garrett is somewhere towards the back doing some sort of strange prance or walk. If I wasn't supposed to be a mature adult in front of Garrett, I would probably laugh at him all day. But, seeing as how I am supposed to help teach and instruct him, I have to refrain (I know...one of the most difficult tasks for me to do..EVER).

One of the things I love about Garrett is his stories. He loves to tell stories that will make the entire class laugh. I'm pretty sure that 99% of his stories have been embellished greatly. Today, he told the story of how his dad proposed to his mom. Keep in mind (and this shouldn't come as a surprise) that Garrett's parents are both stunt people. So, Garrett has absolutely no fear of pain or danger. I don't even think he has a concept of what that is. With that being said, the story of how his parents got engaged is totally fitting for this family. And it all happened on April Fool's... :) Remember, this is the account as told by Garrett.

Garrett's dad took his mom for a horseback ride in the mountains. Garrett didn't say this, but I imagine that it was probably a pretty romantic day together in the mountains, not one of sadness. When they reached their destination, Garrett's dad told his then girlfriend that he had been thinking and wanted to talk to her about something. As a girl, I know what must have been running through her mind..."I'm going to get engaged!" Well, Mr. Combs did something a little different. He said, "I've been thinking and...I think we should start seeing other people." With that, he placed something in her hand and rode away on his horse, down the mountain. I imagine that Mrs. Combs was pretty stunned...I mean, what do you even do in that moment? Yell at him? Cry? I don't even know. But, after her knight had ridden away without her, she looked at what he had placed in her hand. It was a paper that said, "April Fool's!" and attached to it...her engagement ring!

I have to say that although incredibly frustrating for Mrs. Combs and even slightly rude, that is one of the most creative proposals I have ever heard of. Fitting for the parents of my pal Gar-Bear.

With that being said, Happy April Fool's day, everyone! And please, don't play a prank that is as harsh as Mr. Combs. :)