That's just life..

[terbang]

I arrive home from a longish period overseas and am welcomed by my family at the airport. My wife and two daughters have taken the day off to meet me and I am also excited to return home. After kisses and hugs I am curious about the fourth greeter, my eldest daughter’s boyfriend. Crossing the car park to our family car, I notice the body language and touch between Georgina and her friend. I also, for the first time, notice there is a markedly different contour to her anatomy.
My god she looks like a woman and what’s the story with this hopeful that she has in tow!
I wonder about how this could have happened so quickly, perhaps its because I’ve been absent for the last couple of years.

16 years ago a little bundle of joy arrived and I remember thinking that she was the most beautiful creature in the world. I could cup her head in my hand while she lay along my fore-arm with her tiny feet kicking my bicep. Earliest words included “daddy” and during the next 13 years, Georgie and I spent so much time together as a father and daughter team. We rode our motorbikes, flew planes, fixed cars and travelled the world. Things have changed with a growing daughter, changes I barely noticed, however, on reflection they have now arrived in one big obvious chunk!
“Daddy you can’t come in because I’m getting dressed.”
“Daddy I can’t come flying tomorrow because I’m staying at Kelsey’s.”
“Dad, I can’t ride with you today, I’ve got my period.”
“Dad shut up you’re embarrassing me.”
“David, meet my dad, Bruce.”
I had a few blanks that needed filling in and turn to Rachel. She has waited for this day, the day I would realise that I had to let go of my little girl and say hello to a young adult.
“Contraception, but she’s only…”
“Bruce, she’s sixteen and how old was your first girlfriend?”
“Yeah but...”
My arguments are weak and uninformed.

I am wearing motorcycle leathers and preparing for a regular Saturday ride. Georgie is home, which is unusual these days, she eyes my preparation closely.
“Can I come?”
“Where’s David.”
“Away with his mates.”
“You will have to borrow your Mothers leathers, nice day for it though and Steve, Blair and Nigel are coming too.”
I’m surprisingly comfortable with my newfound reserve status.

[yungatart]

I know what you mean - our young fella has gone and got all grown up on us, girlfriend in tow, (she's lovely!), but he'd rather ride out to see her than come for a cruise with us these days...
But someone told me once: Your daughter is your daughter for the whole of her life - your son is your son until he takes a wife...
Cheers - and enjoy your teenagers - they are such interesting peeps to have around.

[onearmedbandit]

Good read. I'm the father of a 7yr old girl, and I treasure the time she wants to spend with me. I know one day it may just change.

[Goblin]

I hear ya Bruce! Sounds almost like you blinked, and missed it. My little girl will be 16 next month too bye bye little girl....Hello young woman! Kind of heart-breaking but they do have to grow up sometime. I'm just really happy that she's had the chance to "be a kid" as long as she has.

[marty]

my 10 year old daughter caught her first staff travel to chch this week to visit friends -what a big grown up girl she looked! kids seem to grow up so fast now days, i'm glad we live in a small community and that i can be there for them every day

[kiwisfly]

Nice reading folks.
I too am at the stage of where did it all go.
My 17yr old daughter has finished school & got a job nannying.
Today was her first payday, what a huge smile she had as she came in the door a wad of notes in her hand!
Onto the next phase I guess