I Know Who I Am

Since the first day of school my son has come home telling me about a little boy who wears a tuxedo to school.  He wears gloves, bow tie, the whole nine yards.  Well, in my moment of disbelief I thought my son was joking around with me.  I actually drive two little girls home as well and they were talking about it too.  So I thought "Well, it could just be a suit and they wouldn't know the difference."  This morning while dropping my son off at school I witnessed Tux Boy!  There he was riding a bike to school, helmet on head and book bag on back, in a full blown tuxedo. 
The mom in me is struggling with this.  First, I should start by saying that I live in Florida.  It is October and we're still in the upper 80's.  A joyous relief, might I add, from the 100's of the summer!  This child is in a full tuxedo!  Now tuxedos are uncomfortable, or so I have been told, when you wear them for weddings.  They are hot, stuffy, and itchy.  This child is wearing one to school.  Second, what part of wearing a tuxedo to middle school makes sense?
Then I sat back and thought about it.  Who the hell am I to ask why?  There is not a sixth grader in the school that does not know this boy's name.  There is not a child that does not link a tuxedo and him together now.  It's his identity.  If it wasn't for my fear of heat stroke I would be quite impressed with it.  He has guts.  He doesn't seem to be concerned what the other children think, who snickers behind his back, or what the current trend is.  He loves his tux and he's going to wear it anyways.  There is something honest and pure about that sort of attitude that I love!
We are, by our very nature, creatures that like to run in packs.  We have family, friends, co-workers and most of us spend a lifetime trying to figure out who we are.  We sometimes try so hard to fit in that we fail to realize our own beautiful uniqueness.  Girls are starving themselves to be thin, boys are taking pills to bulk up, and yet no one is standing up saying "It's just fine that I don't fit your mold of beautiful."  Here is a little boy taking that stand in the most amusing fashion!
So, I have come to the conclusion today that we should honor this brave little boy and his unique sense of self by wearing something completely out of character today.  Let's throw off our square ideas of fitting in.  A tutu at work?  Sure, why not?  Tap shoes to get groceries or a wedding dress to go to the dry cleaner.  We should wear what makes us feel unique, beautiful, and special!  We should never attempt to fit into anyone's mold of perfect and walk to the beat of our own drummer.  In the end, if we all had the guts of Tuxedo Boy, we would be a much happier race of humans.  We would realize the simple elegance in different!