He will protect her.

Today is Mary Caroline's birthday. I reminded Rome that it was her b'day. He immeidately started crying - the sobbing kind, with big crocodile tears - and literally fell into my arms. I asked him what was wrong. This is the converstaion that followed:

Me: Honey, what is wrong?
Him: I don't want Mary Caroline to turn 5.

Me: (trying not to laugh) Why?
Him: I don't want her to grow up and go to school without me. Who is going to be there to protect her?

Me: She isn't going to go without you. You will turn 5 in December and you will get to go with her.
Him: (still crying) But I want her to stay 4 like me.

After much convincing, he finally got over it and wanted to call and wish her a happy birthday.

This was how his end of the conversation went:

Him: Happy Birthday Mary Caroline. You know what? I am going to be 5 in December too, and then we can go to school together and I will protect you.

Poor Mary Caroline she didn't even know that she needed to be protected. I guess Rome will always have her back.