After school I stopped by the pet store to pick up some dog food.  I spotted a teenage kid from the side.  I immediately - instinctively - knew this was a difficult (AKA favorite) student I had my very first year teaching. 

They said this kid was 'unreachable.'  He made quite a name for himself by 5th grade.  I used to work with him during my prep. time to help him with academics and to talk to him and try to relate to him.  I bought him a huge book on cars as a reward once.  He wrote me a real thank you note for it all by himself.  I still have it.  It's one sentence: Thanks, I really like the book.

I wrote him a letter the day he graduated from my school letting him know he knows where to find me if he ever needs to talk to someone.  I have even written him twice since he's been in middle school.  I, of course, never heard back from him.  But someone told me, "Keep in touch.  Someday you'll know he appreciates it."

So today I walked right up to him with eight pounds of dog food in my left arm.  He looked at me standing next to the rabbit cage and looked shocked and then pleasantly surprised.  But he didn't say anything.  I asked if he recognized me.  He looked all over my face and said, "I don't remember your name.  But I know I like you."  I told him with a huge smile, "I was your second grade teacher!"  He replied, "Well, I know that, I just can't remember your name." 

We spoke about his love for animals that he had back in second grade and clearly still has today.  We spoke about how 'boring' high school is.  We spoke about how we're both excited for spring break next week.  That really got him excited. 

It was absolutely wonderful. 

I couldn't wait to get home to tell Mark about seeing him.  I said, "You're never ever going to guess who I just ran into at the pet store!!  A student!"  He said, "Aaahhhh, M----------." 

One guess is all it took because he knows that's the kid that would make me that happy to see. 

My job rocks!