Yesterday was the day. Our daughter took her driver's license test and passed on the first try. It was a happy moment. She was so nervous when she was done that her hands were shaking,k but she had practiced a lot over the last 6 months and I was very happy and proud of her. I wasn't sure how she did until the DMV lady said "well your insurance is about to go up" as she got out of the car..
It was a happy but kind of sad experience and it hit me as I stood by the side of the road in Ballston Spa as she drove away to take her test. I suddenly felt like something was ending. She wouldn't need me to take her to school or work or the mall any more. Sure all those things could be a pain, but I also enjoyed the 15 or 20 minutes we had to just talk about stuff while driving. Sometimes important stuff, but more often just dumb stuff, music or even politics. She'd make me laugh.
I could see her attempt the dreaded parallel parking near the end of her test and realized that soon I wouldn't be there to help her out. I also knew that she would do well figuring things out on her own. It's just part of who she is. Because she is pretty good at managing her money so we don't even have those "hey can I borrow some money" talks.
I'll be looking for other chances to spend a little time just talking about "stuff". This one just drove away.
Feeling a lot of things right now and being a little poorer due to increasing insurance premiums isn't on the top of the list.
Here's how it all started last summer :)