They Do Grow Up

My 16 year old grandson, Nate, has lived with us for the past 4 1/2 years. When he came to live here he was a little brat and we've had the privilege of watching him grow into a fine young man. Last Saturday he went on a first date. A friend (not a girlfriend) from a high school in a neighboring town invited him to her Junior prom. As Nate is home schooled this was a good opportunity for him to attend one. He'd also been pestering me to get him a suit for church but I wanted to wait as long as possible since he's still growing, so I'm sure this was a good reason to talk me into one.

DH and I gave him instructions on proper dating etiquette. You know, things like "When you pick her up get out of the car and go to the door", "Shake her father's hand and ask 'What time would you like your daughter home, sir'", "Make sure you open the door for her", "When you drop her off walk her to her door". Things like that. I told him that proms are for the girl and it's up to the boy, as her escort, to make sure she has a wonderful and memorable evening. We actually had some jokes about what the date from h... would be like. Sitting in the driveway honking the horn, parking where there's a puddle on the passenger's side, getting out of the car and walking into the prom without escorting her, asking her "Are you thirsty? Want some punch?" and when she says yes, saying "Good. Get me some while your at it", dancing with all the other girls, saying "Whoa. Look at how hot SHE is. Wish SHE'D asked me to the prom!", when you take her home just slow down enough so she can jump out of the car. Yup, that would be the date from there alright!

When prom night came he showered, shaved, dressed, asked me at the last minute, while I was pressing his shirt, to trim his hair. I'd been after him for weeks to get a haircut and now he wants me to do this just an hour before he's supposed to leave? NO WAY! So scruffy hair and all, he went to pick up his date, then drove back here for pictures. He looked so handsome and grown up it brought tears to my eyes. When he opened the car door for her he looked natural, like he's been doing this for years. I understand she told him she thought she had the best date there. Makes us proud! Yup, they do grow up.