Takin' It To The Street

Today was THE DAY.  After yesterday's session with Older Daughter behind the wheel of her little car, we left it parked outside the driving school's office. This morning, I took her back there at 8:00 so she could register for the road test, and then drove back to work.

Ten minutes later, she called to say that a) the insurance card in the glove box was expired, and b) they wouldn't let her take the test in the sandals she had on.

It's always something.

I called Big Insurance at their home office in the Midwest, and explained the insurance card issue. They e-mailed me the current coverage within minutes - score one for technology! - and I faxed it to the office where Daughter waited. Then I drove home & retrieved a pair of shoes, took them to her & came on back to my office again.

Less than 30 minutes later, she called a second time. "Dad, one more request: I need you to drive me to the DMV so I can pick up my license." 

(Cue "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing" or something!)

I took her there, waited for the 45 minutes or so that seems to be the standard waiting period. She came out with license in hand, and I drove her back to her car, and bid her a not-quite tearful farewell as my eldest set off in her newly-acquired freedom to come and go as she pleases.

To pay us back for all the hours spent riding shotgun as she learned, she announced her intention to go buy lunch & deliver it to us at our respective offices.  Now all I have to do is try not to bite my nails thinking about her driving by herself.

You never get over being concerned for your children, but merely exchange one set of concerns for another.