Do you remember that old Staples ad? It was a back-to-school ad that showed a parent gleefully throwing school supplies into a cart with two glum children following along behind them. While I’m not thrilled with the glum child aspect, I still think the ad was amusing. Take a peek to refresh your memory!
I’m pretty sure I look a bit like that parent whenever I am shopping for office supplies. I’m not sending any children off to school these days, but I’m an office supply addict! Pens, folders, notebooks? They’re my jam!
So, last week, with great anticipation, I went to Staples for the first time this summer. I walked in feeling the excitement grow. What would I find this year? I lingered in the aisles, picking up and putting down various items. Considering this. Considering that. I kept Investigating all my options. Black pens? Blue pens? Red pens? … All!!! I dumped multiple packages into my cart.
Next, I debated about crayons. I don’t usually have individual crayon boxes, but I’d been considering it. They were on sale… I did the math. I could always add them to the community bin if I didn’t want to use them individually. Decision made! Twenty boxes of crayons were added to my growing pile.
After making many more decisions, changing my mind, trying to remember what I’d already ordered, reconsidering, adding, removing, etc., I finally made my way to the counter to pay. I piled up my tower of crayon boxes alongside the other items.
“Whoa! That’s a lot of crayons!” a small voice piped up from behind me.
I turned from the counter to see a wide-eyed young boy, standing next to his grandmother.
“Are those all for you?!” he asked, eyes bulging.
“No,” I smiled at him. “I’m a teacher and these are for my classroom. Are you getting ready to go to school, too?”
He nodded, holding tightly onto his own teetering tower of supplies. “I’m in precool.”
“You were in preschool last year,” his grandmother corrected. “This year, you’ll be in Kindergarten.”
“I’m gonna be in Kindergarten,” he said.
“Oh,” I said. “I teach second grade. But Kindergarten is pretty awesome! Are you excited?”
“Yes,” he nodded enthusiastically.
After a moment, he looked up at me again. “Will you be there?”
Kids and office supplies…best combo ever! No wonder I love being a teacher! š
Nix the comfort zone 
What a delightful surprise ending! So good you’ve recharged for the coming school year. Your piece brings out the freedom you feel letting loose at Staples.
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Now that I’ve been once, no doubt I’ll be visiting again!
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A teacher in a school supply store is like a kid in a candy shop! Iām thinking of buying a marbleized notebook and decorating it to make me feel like my world is complete.
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You should totally do that and then share it. I’d love to see what you come up with!
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Love this slice and that ending! Precool!
I think all of us teachers (and former teachers for me! š„²) will always enjoy school supply shopping. This summer, in fact, I discovered 2 different stationery stores and obviously HAD to go in and HAD to buy something. Itās like I was replaced by the heart eye emoji! New notebooks and pens? Irresistible!
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To be honest, I loved school supply shopping as a child, too. There was always so much promise in each fresh item!
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I cannot believe that ad is from 1996! Thirty years old and yet completely timeless. Makes me smile every time! As did your sweet encounter with the rising Kindergartener. Yes, you will be there. Maybe not YOU-you, but he’s entering many years of being cared for by the likes of you, who look out for their students in every conceivable way…including personal boxes of crayons.
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The date shocked me as well. I would have thought it was maybe 5 years old. Yikes! I’m more of a community supplies kind of gal, so I’m still on the fence about the crayon boxes. Stay tuned! lol
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I also love school supplies! Thanks for taking us shopping with you and sharing that sweet exchange!
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Now that I went once, it’s so hard to resist going again!
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So sweet – “Will you be there?” I love his innocence and friendliness. Everyone should be like him (including the towering school supplies!). Thanks for sharing.
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Wasn’t that just the sweetest question?! He was so ready to welcome me into his life š
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Teacher back to school shopping at Staples is the equivalent of getting all the gifts you asked for as a kid on Christmas morning. I love the image of the little boy in your story just starting his school years. It’s like you showed up as a sage to say it’s all going to be okay. Thank you for sharing this!
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Thanks! It was one of many “school-related” small moments I had that day while running errands. I guess it’s that time of year!
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Iāve never seen the video but I love it. I too am intoxicated by the smell of school supplies. Itās just so dam irritating that teachers have to buy their own supplies!!!! Maybe Donald could return a few of those gaudy gold frames in his oval office. Love, Cheryl
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Isn’t it a funny video? I should have noted in my post that our school district does a great job supplying us with materials. We actually do NOT have a supply list for parents, other than an optional one. I just can’t resist the lure of shopping for a few extra things myself.
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As a retired teacher, I still have to avoid that store and certain sections in others. My house has too many school supplies I havenāt used yet to justify buying more. But, oh, I want to!
I love the way this slice ends. Made me smile!!
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What a sweet slice! There is nothing like fresh school supplies and all the natural excitement and curiosity of a child entering school. You made his day, I’m sure!
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Fun!š Not a mother, but that is a great commercial.Ā
Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS
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Molly, I don’t remember that funny commercial, but I loved going to Staples when I was teaching, when my children needed supplies, and I still love going there. What a precious moment with that child. š Great ending.
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I could feel your joy in your story, Molly. I love the commercial! I’ve been retired 15 years and STILL get a thrill with Back to School Supplies and always do some stocking up in August. š It IS the most wonderful time of the year!
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Well, that’s just about the sweetest thing I’ve read in a while! My son finished kindergarten in June, he’s starting grade one in September! It’s a “big kid” grade – the kindergarteners could only use the small school playground, while the grade ones get to use the big playground with all the other grades, as my son likes to remind me often with obvious pride. These ages are so precious. š
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