It finally happened. My youngest got their driver's license, passing his test the first time out. We were so focused on his last Behind The Wheel drive, the test the next day and going on a vacation the next day I didn't stop to think about what this milestone in his life means to me.
Because my kids are 10 years apart, every time something big happened to Big Sister, I could rejoice fully with her, because I still "had backup". Our little guy was so much younger that I didn't even blink! Her milestones were "firsts" for her... and for us.
Now that Number Two is 16, we are facing his firsts but they are also now our lasts. Now that we are back from vacation and he has driven off so comfortably and capably to a friend's house, I am having a big hit of what I call a "sissy mommie moment." I treasure everything that happens in my kids lives in my heart. Each bullet item is extra special. Sometimes that's as far as it goes, sometimes they see me giddy with glee for them.
With Number Two's licensing, I am no longer his driver. I am no longer going to be texted to find out when I can get there to pick him up. No longer will I spend extra time on the road going back and forth and back and forth. I am no longer going to drop him off and watch him walk into a building before I drive away. It's over, gulp. This is even harder because he was so appreciate of his rides - like how we would take a day off to drive him 90 minutes away to his favorite local ski area. Now he is appreciative and earnest about asking for the use of a car and even goes so far as to be sure to know what time I will need it in order to get it back in time.
So, another era is over in our parenting journey just as another era has begun in our son's life journey. Tears for growing up too quickly and a couple more for what a great man he is working on becoming. It's our milestone, too.
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