My Shotgun Rider is Sixteen
If you’ve been in the same room with me this past year, you’ve probably heard me vent about the time I’ve spent waiting. Waiting for my teen after football, baseball, training, friend meet-ups, etc. My oldest is young for his grade in school, so he has been my shotgun rider for the first two years of his high school career. To him, it seems like he’s the last man on earth to get his driver’s license. That is all about to change.
Today, my oldest turns sixteen, and my household is excited for the freedoms another driver in the family promises. He aspires to meet his friends when he wants, and I dream of not having to show up to a game two hours before he plays. Instead of me waiting in a parking lot after practice, I can be home, cooking dinner, and mothering the other children. We will all win. It’s an amazing gift. It’s finally here. My guy is 16. So why am I crying?
A Soundtrack for Letting Go
I could blame it on the Kenny Chesney song that came on at one of our last stops together (he’s always telling me Don’t Blink), or when his sister and I were discussing how fun turning 16 will be for him, Good Riddance by Green Day just happened to come on the radio, or probably just the fact that I realized something super late. This undivided quality time with my teen is about to end.
Photo Cred: Jami Jorges 
Our half-hour drives each way were our well-checks. He was held captive in my car, so I could ask him how his day was, how practice was, what fun things he and his friends had planned, what homework he had, and how he felt about current events. While I’m excited for him (and me), I am slowly realizing this milestone in his life will change our quality time. It’s the beginning of the big letting go, and it’s something I took for granted.
Independent From the Beginning
This kid came into our lives sixteen years ago (six days late, I might add), and my spouse and I had no idea what we were doing. Thank goodness he was our first. He was independent from the outset: never wanting my assistance walking, playing on the playground, pushing his plastic mower. He never needed fussed over, and only sought me out when he was hungry. Throughout these last sixteen years, it’s been the same. His dad and I could have never imagined the incredible young man he’d become. We are so proud of him, we are so excited for him, and we will cheer him on in this next milestone.
Drive Time = Check-In Time
Parents of younger kids: keep bugging them. Ask them about their days. Find out what they’re excited about. Talk to them about what they’re thinking. As I hand the keys over to my oldest, I know a part of his childhood is coming to an end. It’s a bittersweet time, and I’m lucky he was my first shotgun rider. What a ride this life has been so far. I think I must have blinked.