The arrival of the imaginary friend

Something happened this evening that touched my heart and brought a smile to my face; Georgie welcomed her first imaginary friend to our house. 

Her name is Abby, she is four years old, and right now they are having a sleepover in Georgie’s bed. 

Earlier this evening she was wearing a pretty dress, but Georgie very sweetly helped her to get undressed and put pyjamas on for bedtime. 

She has been ceremoniously tucked in at the end of Georgie’s bed, with the elephant pillow pet for a cushion, a giraffe toy to cuddle, and a blanket to share with her host. I gave out three kisses at bedtime tonight, instead of my normal two.

“Abby is my very special best friend”

I love to see Georgie’s imagination blossoming like this. Not only does she play endless role play games and enjoy playing with toys like her dolls house, making up stories as she goes, but now she has created a whole little person to be her friend.

According to Georgie, Abby’s hair is the same as hers, and she is equally as tall as Georgie too – so they are obviously well suited! They spent a good half hour playing together before bedtime; dancing, singing, and so on. Georgie introduced us, delighted that Mummy was saying & waving hello to her new friend. 

Seeing my little girl standing there with a huge grin on her face, hand clenched in mid air by her side as she held her friend’s hand, made me feel a little bit gooey inside. My little girl has her first imaginary friend – how wonderful and special is that? The imagination is such a powerful and amazing thing and I am so pleased to see Georgie embracing that.

But for now, I have to go in and tell all three of the girls to quiet down and go to sleep; Georgie is singing with Abby, and Lydia is crying because she is overtired and needs to get to sleep.

Sleepovers are terribly exciting for a three year old, even if your guest is entirely imaginary!