This might come as a bit of a shock to you, but I was never much of a fan of Barbie. Or dolls in general. Or the color pink. I never wanted a pony. I didn’t plan out my dream wedding.

I’ll give you a moment to adjust to the surprise.

What I did want as a kid was a Game Boy. We’re talking the 1989 black and white indestructible brick. Very not girly at the time, let me assure you.

And to get one required visiting the local game store. This would become a long tradition that would lead to my resolution to get a job there.

Mission accomplished.

As background, I happen to be an Assistant Manager at a gaming retailer that shall remain nameless, to protect the innocent and guilty alike.

There is something priceless I get to do at work that very few others can boast of. I had to make introductions. I get to establish lifelong loves and addictions. I get to make gamers.

Perhaps that’s a bit egotistic of me, there are parents involved here, but there’s a sort of shared experience with selling a child their first gaming machine that makes me relive my childhood. Opening that very first Game Boy and marveling at how compact it was (for 1989) I remember the pride of having something of my very own.  A feeling I see in the eyes of every kid I sell a new machine to. Something that they own, something they will love and cherish, hopefully.

What’s even more awesome is selling a girl her first system, especially when it’s a 360 or a PS3. Girls who can’t be bothered with the latest pony game, girls who preorder the next game full of guns. Girls just like me. That slight bit of pride that beams anytime a girl quietly asks about the newest shooter without being sent on a mission from the boyfriend – well that’s just awesome.

It reminds me that the tides are turning. And that the days of girls sneaking into game stores are finally numbered.

It reminds me of the ground that has been gained in establishing acceptance for girls like me, as well as every girl that isn’t. They prove that girl gamers come in every kind, and that it’s entirely okay to like pink and firearms simultaneously, whether or not they match.

Every time I hit that last key to finish the sale, I’m raising our ranks.

And I’m proud.

Even if I never passed that damn bike level in Battletoads.