It's virtually impossible for me to contain my bubbling excitement when my kids come home. The
anticipation is almost as thrilling as them being here (well, not really but I DO love anticipation!)
Then,
of course, there’s the aftermath. Like yesterday…they leave. :-(
I
am NOT good with goodbyes. I never have been. I don’t believe I ever will be. Actually,
I hate them.
The most awesome news though...They looked extremely happy and healthy...BOTH at the same time! These two have
never done or felt the same "anything" ever in their lives.
Chatting on my daughter’s bed this weekend, I glanced up at something I hung on her wall
during high school when she first began the whole whirlwind of dating.
(You may need glasses to read! The last line makes my eyes tear!)
I’m
fortunate that my daughter shares a lot with me (eventually) about the guys in
her life. We’ve talked about:
-
Strength of character, first impressions and reputations,
- How
people should treat each other in a relationship,
-
The importance of having common interests and values,
-
How to break up with someone and how to handle yourself when someone has broken
your heart,
-
Being choosey and that hanging around with the girls is often equally/more
important than having a guy,
-
The BIG things…. AND the consequences.
In
her short span of dating, she’s dated a jerk, broken the same boy’s heart twice
(he returned the favor this past Thanksgiving), dealt with a devastating summer
romance that shattered her, and found someone really, really cool.
Nothing
puts a parent more at ease than seeing their child extremely happy and treated
like a princess by someone who clearly cares for them. This weekend I saw it
first hand and my heart was very warm.
(A college party last week. Not How They Usually Dress)
She
went to school 4 hours away and met someone who only lives 7 blocks from her
home. What are the odds of that?
Do
I want this to be “the” guy for her? Probably not because she’s very young and has the world by the tail. She says he's the nicest boy she's ever met.
What
I do want is for her to recognize and search out healthy relationships. Now THAT is quite a skill to master!
P.S.
I know his parents and he comes from a lovely family!
