In life, we sometimes stumble across milestones before we know we are coming upon them, just as Rob Petrie kept tripping on his ottoman. Last weekend, I stumbled happily over two.
On the Friday after Thanksgiving, as is my obsessive tradition, I wanted to put up our Christmas lights on the outside of the house. Ever since I was a kid, I wanted to be the first on the block to get the lights up after Thanksgiving. Still haven’t won anything for doing so, but I do it every year. This weekend, I had Sam help me, which actually means he did it. Granted, this isn’t a major operation. We weren’t storming Anzio Beach. But I stood there watching him stringing the lights across the face of our porch and then over our spindly bush and thought, “Now he knows how to do it.” And I felt a measure of pride. My next thought was, “Now what’ll I do?”
Maybe more important – but just maybe – on Saturday, for the first time, I drove Sam and a nice young lady to a movie date. He’s been on a date or two before, but he had never required my help, vehicular or otherwise. I couldn’t have been prouder than when he opened my car door to let her in…until he reached around her to open the door as they entered the theater building. Yes, I sat in my car watching them go in, and I’m glad I did. Good young man.
Did I say I was happy about these happenings? Yeah, but then why I did feel just a little bit of loss at the same time?
Sweet…my son did that at a young age as well…learned by example of dad. They’ll be good husbands!! 🙂
Aww. That is awesome. What a nice young man you are raising 🙂
It is so bittersweet–sometimes it’s the thought that they have turned out well that’s your only consolation. Crying and laughing at the same time (but not letting anyone know it, because they might make fun of you). Good for you, mom!
^oh, sorry—Good for you, dad!
^ Alzheimer’s.
sam has a great teacher- called dad!!
PS- you just remember to open the door for your lovely wife the next time you are at the movies!! 😉
Sweet! Great job parents.
Thanks for sharing.
We watched our son go through “those milestones”…me with a tear…and my hubby with a “good job son, I am proud”…One father’s day he wrote a poem in his card…The very last sentence said, “They call you Coach, but I am proud to call you Dad”…then there was a tear!!…Cherish the milestones…I can just imagine your “speech” at your son’s wedding…I am sure you have gathered lots of “material”….Loved this post!
I have a son and daughter about the same age. I know this bittersweet you’re writing of. It feels both so wonderful and so strange, to see that we are shifting to another stage–and to know that we are close to that time when my life will no longer be about the thing that has mostly defined it for most of my adult life. Sometimes, I feel as if I am going through as much of an adolescence as they are. We are both trying to figure out who we’ll be when they are grown, sooner than we’re really comfortable with. Wishing you well on your journey.
Love this post. You are raising a good man. It goes by quickly, doesn’t it? Our oldest announced the other day (in a teasing way) “Mom, I’m growing up. I’ve memorized my social security number.” 😉 Have a great day!
Debbie
How lovely to watch your offspring growing up and behaving as you have taught them to behave, to see them becoming fine young men and women. I do not believe there is anything on earth that can bring more joy than to see that. But, at the same time, oh, how it hurts to have them grow up so quickly!!! One moment you are guiding their first steps, in a blink of an eye, you are watching them wed and begin families of their own. Sigh.
Mike, I have four sons. I feel the same way now that #3 is dating as I did when it was the oldest. We want them to be happy, grow up, experience things, then when they take those steps we almost want them to be small again. Almost.
Bliss
Oh Mike…I feel ya…when my daughter got her license 2 years ago…I was proud of her driving skills…but kinda depressed for weeks because she didn’t need me to drive her back and forth to dance or anywhere anymore. 🙁
Kelly
Way to go dad! What a wonderful young man you and Linda have 🙂