When do your adolescent children become excellent company and people you would be delighted to spend time with even if you were not related to them?
My informal survey (just my family and friends) says that happens right around age 20.
I have never been a person that hated the teen years--there's really no aspect of parenting I haven't enjoyed, but I will acknowledge that most people (ourselves included) between the ages of 12 and 20 tend to be irritatingly sure that they know most everything about life while older people are alarmingly obtuse about so very many things.
Danger Boy got home for spring break past my bedtime on Friday night. Saturday morning I got a great big bear hug--if your little boy makes your heart melt when he hugs you around the knees, your big boy will do exactly the same when he envelops you from a height of 6 feet plus.
I went for my Saturday walk, then a nail appointment and came back to DB and a couple of long-time friends (we're talking preschool and 12U water polo) hanging out and listening to music.
You guys, the intelligent conversation in the room was to-die for. Also? Much laughter. There was also the hijacking of my Facebook for some anti-Democrat propaganda, but it was all in good fun.
Hard to believe that the same duo that once duct-taped Social Butterfly and a friend to bar stools can intelligently debate federal economic policy, but I heard it with my own ears.
Want to know something else cool?
The little boy I read poetry to, the one that was generally the best writer--certainly the most imaginative and prolific in elementary school--the one that once asked for a book of poetry as a Christmas gift--is rocking a poetry class in college this semester. Not just taking it, but loving it.
Happy sigh.
It's a bummer that making this trip happen means he will spend virtually his entire 20th birthday on an airplane or in an airport, but it sure is good to have him home.
Glad you were able to have such a great visit. I suspect DB won't mind spending much of his 20th in transit, but next year may be a different story!
Posted by: lanes | March 03, 2013 at 08:27 PM
Nice! I've always loved the company of my sons. Taller-than-you hugs are the greatest.
Posted by: Smalltown Me | March 04, 2013 at 12:13 AM
So glad you got to bring him home for a visit! :)
Posted by: Karen (formerly kcinnova) | March 04, 2013 at 12:33 AM
I'm glad it was a good visit. Maybe you can get the whole plane rising to him? He'd love that, right?
Posted by: Jen | March 04, 2013 at 11:41 AM
That was supposed to be "singing"! Stupid phone!
Posted by: Jen | March 04, 2013 at 11:43 AM
What a fine reward for parenting--having adults return home that are a JOY to hang out with! Brava!
Posted by: Green Girl in Wisconsin | March 04, 2013 at 01:06 PM
I know eactly what you mean. It is great seeing them mature and grow through the college years. I laugh about how expensive it is to go out with them now that they drink - but it is such great fun, too!
Posted by: BrightsideSusan | March 04, 2013 at 10:04 PM
Oh, this makes my heart melt. I'm so glad he is home for a few days! I too never had big ssues with the teen years. Although, there was a day or two that I would like to forget....raising people who you enjoy being around is awesome. We are lucky.
Happy 20th to DB and safe travels too!
Xo
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