On St. Valentine’s Day when my Baby Doll was just three years old my husband and I wandered into a martial arts studio with her.  They had classes for ages 3 to 6 called “Little Rhinos” and we decided to try her to see if she liked it.  For the entire first session she sat there with her little legs crossed, quietly observing everything with her huge, dark brown eyes.  She participated but did not utter one single word … and her participation was truly after careful consideration.  Her instructor ever so gently coaxed her thumb out of her mouth and his kind but firm discipline reminded me of my father.  She never cried once (like the boys) or even looked to me; she simply took it all in with a thoughtfulness that transcended her tender years.  When class was over we asked if she wanted to go back and she said yes.  Then to my great surprise I discovered it was South Korean!  I went home and cried as I thought of my late father and how he used to call me endearments in Korean.  He proudly served eight years in that forgotten war, becoming well-versed in Korean martial arts.  And I just KNEW.  I felt Daddy behind me on this.  A dawning realization came of my childhood with its methodical discipline and I realized how much he had shaped my life.  I was already subconsciously rearing our daughter in the same way.  I began to look around and take notice of their actions: saluting the flag, bowing to show respect, and having to complete jobs lists they must submit in order to belt test.  After that she earned her white belt which had her name written on it.  I was SO PROUD.  In this school kiddos earn a camouflage belt next.  I got her a personalized belt rack for her bedroom door and then she earned her yellow stripe belt and after that she earned her orange stripe belt.  Then she was able to move to the “Advanced Little Rhinos” class where she earned her purple stripe belt, her green stripe belt, her brown stripe belt, and her red stripe belt.  Sitting in the studio tonight I thought this was it.  About two years of her life later, almost at the end of age four, my little one would be testing for her first black belt.  Of course this would be on a level for littles but it still does not diminish her knowledge, her skill, her confidence, her perseverance, or all of her hard work.  In previous ceremonies she has busted boards in half with an ax kick (using her leg), an elbow strike (so difficult they weren’t sure she could even do it), and this board she would split with a side kick.  I thought it was funny that for this picture she put it back together.  So I am now the popping proud mother of a kind, gentle little girl who is learning strength and honor through discipline and respect; just as I know my father would have wanted.  She is also learning the value of setting goals, and I pray all of it will serve her well throughout her entire life.  My baby is a black belt!