Wednesday, June 30, 2010

All Growed Up



Frick is leaving for Europe for 4 weeks today.

My baby girl is all growed up, sort of. 15 years old and touring 5 countries this summer. For her, life is good.
Me? I'm kind of a basket case.

No, really I'm fine, but she's my baby, you see, and I'm gonna miss her terribly.

We are driving to JFK in New York today to send them off. Frick and her best friend will be together and I'm really happy for them. This is going to be such a great summer experience and we were all looking forward to this day.

But really, I'm fine....Now that the day is here.

It's not about me.
It's about her seeing the beauty of Europe, experiencing Picadilly Square and the Eiffel Tower and riding the Gondola's in Venice.
It's about checking out the cute European boys and experiencing European culture.
It's about making memories with her best friend and some new friends and about being a teen.

It's not like I'm wishing I could be there with her making those memories right along side her....keeping my eye on her 24-7. That's not what this trip is about. That's another trip for another day. This trip is about Frick becoming a young adult and making her own decisions. Keeping track of her own money, (there's an ap for that) and taking care of herself. Frick's the smart one, I know she'll be great.

Me?

No really, I'm fine.

I'll be a phone call away.
Or an email away.
Or a Facebook message away.
Or a plane ride away.
I'm fine, really.
Don't be ridiculous, I'll be good.
I'll just sit back and watch as my baby girl gets all growed up......

13 comments:

wigsf said...

A 15 year old teenage girl, going around Europe. You're a very progressive parent. If I had a 15 year old daughter, I would not permit such an excursion unless a trust-worthy chaperon would be involved.

RW said...

It's safer for a 15 year old with a friend in Europe than it is in places close to where I live.

I think this is something she will never forget, will help towards making her a person of character, will teach her things of value, and will quite possibly lend her the very spark that will fuel her life from this point on. How incredibly lucky she is to have the opportunity and a parent willing to let her grow.

I'm actually kind of jealous of you AND her! Don't worry. It'll be great!

Scott Oglesby said...

I don’t want to scare you but you know all these kids drink and smoke pot and the lgel age of consent is like 14 right? Bwahahahaha…

While all of those things are true, you’re daughter was raised with intelligence and love. The fact that you are even allowing her to do this is a sign that she’s mature enough to handle it. Had she been sheltered and locked in the church basement all her life…. Not so much.

Anonymous said...

just make sure she is safe...

Deech said...

My 10 year old son is trouncing through the American countryside with his Grandparents this summer. I miss him terribly. I can just imagine what you are going through....

Just remember to tell her to staff off the marshes!

The Dental Maven said...

I sure do admire you, Candy. The Maven couldn't be so sanguine. Hate being separated from my kid.

Jim said...

A month in Europe? Holy rude-to-Americans, Batman. My little princess has been at camp for one week, and I'm already suffering parental withdrawl, even though she comes home tomorrow.

Be strong.

XO

Heff said...

Way to make Candy feel good, wigsf !!, lol !


Hopefully when she's 18 she'll get her name changed from "Frick" to something more standard. That's GOT to be rough on a girl :)

Anonymous said...

Frick is gonna be so much better for taking this trip. When I was a teenager, I would have loved to take a trip through Europe, but I've since made up for that.

Ask her to send you pix while she's away traveling so you can blog about it!

SkylersDad said...

Good luck to her, I hope she has a great time!

Scope said...

Cora and I tried to arrange a distraction for you this weekend...

But you'll be fine. The instant she gets off the plane and is back with you, you'll be fine. And then she'll tell you about something stupid she did, you'll want to wring her neck, and you'll be finer.

Think of it a "college prep".

sage said...

In twenty years, when I send my daughter to Europe by herself, I'll be writing this post... She'll be 32 then, and it will be time for her to spread her wings.

Furtheron said...

Your are letting her lose over here!? Are you MAD!... Just joking she'll be fine... however my daughter might have something to say about her leaving the cute European boys to the girls who live here ;-)