Little Miss Model

***The 1st photo is from Madeline's first runway show. The 2nd photo is her just 4 short years ago on a daddy/daughter trip to the American Girl Store in Chicago***

There sat the contract for me to read. Lying on the table at Moe's Irish Pub, just south of the sweating glass of ice water and east of the Splenda and salt shaker. Five pages that marked a new journey, fraught with uncertainty and excitement. Pages that could be written in unlimited potential or disappointment. Pages that could launch a career, or become a quickly burned out hobby.

I can't imagine it's happening, but my youngest daughter has been sought after by, and is now signing with, a modeling agency.

L Modelz and its owner and "mother agent" Leslie, have signed my Duchess to a 2-year contract to work runway shows, catalogs, do local tv modeling appearances, and any other type of thing that these ladies do. The signing takes place after her 4th modeling gig (2 costuming catalogs, a runway bridal show and a tv appearance for back-to-school wear), several meetings and a couple lessons on how to walk on the runway. I guess she doesn't want me, as my curves are inadequate and have started to sag!

Ever since I can remember her having aspirations of any kind, she's always wanted to model. Always careful of her make-up, triple checking her clothes to insure they work in harmony, and accessorizing, hair fixing, and shoe choosing with painful consideration. Even to the point of taking a fashion class, buying a sewing machine and asking for a mannequin for her birthday so she can see just how an outfit will look before it goes on, fashion has been the passion.

While I worry about her getting used or burned, my wife assures me that this business is truly on the up-and-up. We've listed a litany of "prohibited activities" for Madeline that include any use of sexual situations or nudity (even implied) and stretched it to even include political or organizational causes we do not agree with (PETA, promoting pro-choice or gay marriage advocacy, pro illegal immigration, etc).

I'm so proud of her, the class she shows when she models and how easy she is for designers to work with. Her beautiful complexion, eyes and figure are gifts from God that we're so grateful for, but one of my main hopes is that through this foray into the world of the superficial, that others will become better people by having the chance to work with a sweet, wonderful, silly girl that makes others happy just by being around them. Now, smile for the camera and work that thang!