Duncan: A big girl potty and big girl confidence, thanks to a hive-five with Ellie

Her name was Ellie. I recently met her in the bathroom at lunch.

She was in the stall beside me talking to her mom, who was coaxing her through the potty process.

“Mom,” Ellie whisper-yelled as little kids do. “What is that noise?”

Her mom tried to wave her off a few times in that same embarrassed tone I got when a 6-year-old Logan kept asking me why the guy behind us in line was wearing yellow pants.

“Those are bright!” he said looking behind him with great emphasis.

“Shhhh,” I said and then added. “I love those yellow pants.”

In the bathroom, Ellie’s mom finally said quietly, “The lady next to us is also going potty.”

“Oh. She goes potty on the potty too?” Ellie said.

Her mom didn’t respond, but Ellie wasn’t afraid to give credit where credit is due.

“Hey!” She yelled over from her stall. “Good job going on the big girl potty! I proud of you!”

When we met at the sink, we washed our hands together and did a high-five.

Later, as I sat in my car waiting for a meeting to start, I was feeling extra confident.

I wish I would have gotten’s Ellie’s number.

I need people like her in my life.