An Embarrassing Story

So, since I was in high school, I have always been mistaken for being younger than I actually am. When I was seventeen, I was often mistaken for being twelve years old.. I am now twenty-six, almost twenty-seven, and am still mistaken for being anywhere from twelve years old to seventeen years old. Whatever, I don't mind. I would rather look younger than older, I guess. Sometimes I forget that I don't look like a grown-up and get caught off guard when someone mistakes me for being an adolescent.

Well... today my two-year old son, "A," and I decided to go for a walk because it was so nice outside. We ended up walking along the river trail and eventually ended up at the playground. I watched A as he played on the playground with some younger kids that he made friends with. Turns out it was the last day of school, so as the younger kids gradually left, the park gradually filled with teenagers. Some were hanging out on the grass and others were playing tag on the playground. I was sitting by myself near the grass while I watched A play. Apparently I looked like I was left out of all the fun because then a young teenage boy said I could join them in playing tag on the playground if I wanted to! At first I was caught off guard by being mistaken for a teenager since I was there as a mother with my son. Then I was kind of touched that this teenager who didn't know me was considerate enough to invite who he thought was a left out teenager to celebrate the end of a school year with him and his friends. I ended up telling him I was alright and thanked him for inviting me. Sometimes I think to myself that I should work as an undercover cop in a high school like on 21 Jump Street because I would blend right in. And it would be pretty fun!