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Most of us have some embarrassing, quirky stories from childhood. For example, I was dropped (gently) off the end of a diving board after everyone involved got tired of me walking to the end of the board and chickening out. Am I still risk-averse? You betcha.
Twitter user Kathryn Brightbill kicked off a thread of similarly “on brand stories” with this tweet:
What is your most on brand story from your childhood?
— Kathryn Brightbill (@KEBrightbill) February 20, 2019
Then she shared her own “on brand” story:
Mine is probably learning how to sign my name when I was four so I could get my own library card instead of having to rely on what my parents checked out for me.
— Kathryn Brightbill (@KEBrightbill) February 20, 2019
The tweet quickly went viral, with 13 thousand comments and likes.
Many of the responses were sweet, like this one, about an awesome mom:
I had (have) horrible insomnia and would stay up late reading. I snuck a flashlight under my pillow so I could read. My mom realized what I was doing and why and replaced the batteries when needed without me asking for it.
— Cinnamon Cooper (@cinnachick) February 20, 2019
And this one, about an endearing young reader:
in middle school I used to have private awards ceremonies for the books I had read that year, like an Oscars for books, and would make up speeches for all the characters to say.
— the library haunter ??❄ (@SketchesbyBoze) February 21, 2019
Some on brand stories predicted future careers, like one about working in publishing:
I was 5 and just out of kindergarten when my neighbor took me & her kids to the Rexall for lunch. Waitress brought menus for all but me. (I prob looked 3) I said, “We can ALL read at this table.” Publishing, 38 yrs.
— Leslie E Owen (@simeyowen) February 21, 2019
Or directing:
When I went to the @UniStudiosLot tour at age seven, saw the “Castle Dracula” live show, and promptly announced when my dad brought me home that I was going “to be a director.” On Super 8, no less.
— Shaun O’Banion (@shaun_obanion) February 20, 2019
Or a marine scientist:
My mom took me to the beach in Maine when I was 6 months old. When I saw the ocean for the first time, I tottered right in and didn’t stop till the water was above my head! Now I’m a marine scientist (currently masquerading as a limnologist).
— Carolynn Harris (@iceicecarrie) February 21, 2019
And some were just indicative of…shall we say, a certain personality type?
In elementary school, frustrated by my school library’s unhurried acquisition of hot new children’s and YA titles, I started my own library. It involved this contract that my friends and their parents had to sign, and I think I charged $1 to join. pic.twitter.com/E0o5L0u5CS
— Mx. Stephan Nance (@HelloStephan) February 20, 2019
5th grade: got dinged on a math test for not “showing my work.” I argued that “showing work” didn’t (couldn’t!) mean ALL WORK (you do SOME in your head!). Teacher relented & changed my grade but said, “you’re gonna get an ulcer someday,” which I assumed was a prize of some sort.
— ana marie cox (@anamariecox) February 22, 2019
What’s your “on brand” childhood story?
