Selenga and her mom had a secret.
No one else knew about it. Just the two of them.
What's the Secret?
One morning, Selenga asked: “Mom, what if we had a secret between us?”
“What kind of secret?” her mom replied.
“Something only we know. Like a special word.”
Her mom thought for a moment. “Okay. What should it be?”
Selenga thought hard. Really hard.
“Orange.”
“Why orange?” her mom asked.
“Because we both love it. And orange is such a beautiful color. It makes me feel warm inside.”
Her mom smiled. “Orange it is, then.”
How Will We Use It?
“When should we use it?” Selenga wondered.
“Whenever we need to,” her mom said. “During special moments.”
“What kind of moments?”
"When I love you so much I need to say it. When you're feeling scared or sad. Or just because, with no reason at all."
Selenga thought about this. “What will it mean?”
"Everything. I love you. I'm here for you. Think of something beautiful. All of it."
The First Time
One day, Selenga was heading to school.
She stopped at the door. "I'm scared, Mom."
Her mom bent down and whispered in her ear.
“Orange.”
Selenga giggled. The fear didn't disappear completely, but it got smaller.
The Second Time
One evening, her mom came home exhausted from work. She collapsed on the couch.
Selenga walked over and whispered in her mom's ear.
“Orange.”
Her mom paused. Then she laughed. “You learned too?”
"It's our secret,“ Selenga said proudly. ”I can use it too."
Everywhere They Go
Now they used it everywhere.
In a crowded place—her mom caught her eye and whispered: “Orange.”
When Selenga had nightmares—she whispered: “Orange.”
During a beautiful moment—they both said it together: “Orange.”
No one else understood. Only they did.
And that was enough.
You Can Do This Too
You and someone you love can choose a secret word together.
Any word works. A fruit, a color, an animal—whatever feels right.
That word becomes yours.
For Parents
Tonight, choose a secret word with your child and actually use it. This simple ritual strengthens your bond and gives your child a wonderful sense of belonging to something special—something that's just theirs and yours.