Friday Flashback: 30 grandchild firsts only grandparents celebrate

Dear readers: This flashback feature originally appeared on Grandma's Briefs April 8, 2014. Thank you for reading my rerun.

There are numerous firsts in a child's life worth celebrating. The milestones Mom and Dad celebrate, though, may be a wee bit different than those Grandma and Grandpa celebrate.

Here are 30 firsts in the life of a grandchild that warm a grandparent's heart and warrant a happy dance:

• First time being held by grandparents.

• First smile just for Grandma or Grandpa.

• First time calling a grandparent the name they'll forever be known by.

• First time saying "I love you" to a grandparent—without prompting from Mom or Dad.

• First drawing for Grandma and Grandpa's fridge.

• First shared phone conversation.

• First board game played together.

• First reciprocated hug.

• First hug when the grandchild lets go last.

• First song sung for a grandparent.

• First time introducing a new sibling to Grandpa and Grandma.

• First gift made with their very own hands.

• First gift purchased with their very own money.

• First time giving sincere thanks to Grandma or Grandpa.

• First shared dance.

• First visit via Skype or FaceTime.

• First time cooking together.

• First time reaching for Grandma's hand to hold while walking.

• First time reading a book to a grandparent.

• First personalized card written by the child—even if Mom or Dad provided letter-by-letter instruction.

• First time sleeping at Grandma's house.

• First time waking Grandma or Grandpa in the morning when they sleep at the grandchild's house.

• First compliment—on food, fashion or a grandparent's awesome ability that Grandma or Grandpa never realized was so awesome.

• First outing with grandparents only—Mom and Dad not allowed.

• First joke shared—a joke that the grandchild actually gets and finds funny.

• First time hiding while Grandma or Grandpa seeks.

• First time going to the theater together.

• "Friending" a grandparent on Facebook.

• First time driving Grandma or Grandpa.

• First holiday together (and every single one thereafter). 

• First time saying, "I miss you."

Have more? Do share!