It’s not often that I’m nervous or worried, unless of course, it has something to do with one of my boys. And yesterday, my oldest child obtained something every 16 year old looks forward to getting – his driver’s license.

Because my kids live about 60 miles or so away from me, his first drive alone was going back to his mother’s house in his car, pictured above. He’d need to navigate through traffic on small roads and even drive about 15 miles or so on Interstate 75. And even on “slow” days, it’s safe to say that traffic is always rather high on that particular strip of road.

Needless to say, when he drove off, I was conflicted. On the one hand, I was proud as I could be about him reaching this life milestone. But on the other, I have to admit, I was seriously on pins and needles. I’d just let my child drive away, flapping his wings for that first proverbial solo flight.

After what seemed like hours – just over one, actually – the text message came.

He made it back to his mom’s without incident, although he’s still working on his skills in regards to operating a manual transmission. But as I explained to him, that’s something that will come with practice.

And he’s already driven to and from school for the first time too. That means he and Austin can sleep a bit later, plus it gets Alex home almost an hour quicker than riding the bus.

He’s already hit a number of milestones in just 24 hours or so, and I suppose I’ll worry about my kids until the day I die…but they bring me so much joy I figure a little worry is more than worth what they’ve given me in return.