Binky Fairy

In a desperate attempt to wean Makayla off of her pacifier addiction, I decided to launch a very elaborate hoax. It began with weekly reminders of the impending arrival of the Binky Fairy, a benevolent fantasy creature who would arrive, unseen, to pick up pacifiers from toddlers who had outgrown the use of the device. The Binky Fairy would then supposedly deliver the binkies to younger babies who really needed them for comfort.

A few days prior to her arrival, Makayla received a letter from the Binky Fairy. It informed her that the Binky Fairy was making a stop at our house and requested that Makayla place all of her binkies in a bag tied to a tree in our backyard. In consideration for Makayla's binkies, the Binky Fairy promised to leave a little surprise for Makayla. The Binky Fairy ended the letter with a heartfelt "Thank you" for Makayla's kindness and willingness to part with her beloved binkies so that younger babies could benefit from the comfort such devices provide. A cartoon picture of the fairy, dressed in a pink dress and lace, with wings sparkling with fairy dust, was enough to convince my daughter of the authenticity of the letter.

The night before the big event, Makayla went to bed one last time with her favourite binky firmly in her mouth. "I'm just going to use this for now. I'm not going to use it anymore tomorrow because the binky fairy will come and take it away," she said matter-of-factly before she turned over and went to sleep. At that point, I wasn't sure how effective this plan was going to be. I had my doubts about her willingness to let go of something she loved so dearly.

The next day, as instructed by the Binky Fairy, Makayla placed all her binkies in a bag. She said "Goodbye, Binkies! Thanks for everything!" before I tied a ribbon and sealed the bag shut. It had snowed the night before and we had to walk through a foot of snow to the tree in the backyard. After posing for pictures with the bag of binkies suspended above her head, Makayla wanted to go inside and wait for the Binky Fairy.



I enlisted the help of my husband to distract our daughter while I ran outside to replace the bag of binkies with a bag filled with gifts. After a few hours, my daughter remembered about the Binky Fairy and, after noticing that the bag was now sitting on the bench under the tree, she exclaimed, "Mommy, the Binky Fairy was here!" I feigned surprise and ran outside to retrieve the bag of gifts as Makayla looked on from the window. I pretended to be shocked to find the gifts inside the bag and gave her a "thumbs up" before running back inside. Makayla was thrilled to find out that the Binky Fairy had given her a wooden bird house to paint, a new book, new markers and candy.

It has been 2 weeks since the Binky Fairy took all of her binkies away and Makayla has not asked for her pacifiers. She would, from time to time, talk about the time the Binky Fairy took her binkies away and left her a present. I'm relieved that the plan worked because I didn't have a Plan B. At least I no longer have to worry about my daughter starting junior kindergarten in a year still stuck to her beloved binky!

Promise

“God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain, but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way.”
- Anonymous

February 9, 2002

In honour of my husband's heritage, the program for our wedding ceremony contained the following Native American blessing:

"Now you will feel no rain, for you will be shelter for each other.
Now you will feel no cold, for you will be warmth for each other.
Now you will feel no loneliness, for you will be friends for each other.
Now you are two people, but there is only one road you will walk together.
Go now to your home, and may your days be long upon the earth."

Six years later, those words have greater significance. My husband is my best friend. He has seen me at by best and at my worst. He knows all my fears, vulnerabilities and deep dark secrets. He knows my happiest moments and greatest humiliations. He has been there to comfort me when I cry and, sometimes, he has been the very reason for my tears. We debate, disagree and laugh with each other. We are two separate individuals but we walk the road of life together.

Marriage has not been easy for us. Like most married couples, our relationship has seen its exhilarating highs and disappointing lows. But the difficult times are far outweighed by the good times. And the person who can, and does, push all my buttons is the same person who knows what to say or do to put a smile on my face. He's the same person who wipes my tears away and comforts me during my darkest moments. And while the road we have walked together has not always been easy, I wouldn't want to take this journey with anyone but my best friend.