My Baby Is Growing Up... Whether I'm Ready or Not

Sam is gone this week. He headed to San Antonio for the week to celebrate his best friend's birthday, and I have to admit... I miss the kid.

I cannot believe he is going to be a senior this year.

How is that even possible?

He'll be 17 on August 6th, but he's definitely what I call a young 17. He still doesn't have his driver's license and only recently got a job... a job he already wants to quit because wrestling starts soon. Priorities, right?

This weekend Anthony decided it was time for another driving lesson.

Specifically... parallel parking.

Now, let me set the scene.

It's over 100 degrees outside with Texas humidity that makes you question every life decision. Anthony is out there with one functioning arm because his left arm is still wrapped up from surgery and won't be movable for another two weeks.

Poor guy.

Meanwhile, Sam is trying to parallel park using my car.

Everything was going fine until it wasn't.

Instead of stopping, he clipped Anthony's brand-new truck with my side mirror... and then just kept driving.

Yep.

He scraped the mirror all the way down the side of Anthony's truck.

I couldn't help it...

I laughed.

Not because it was funny (okay... maybe just a little), but because it was one of those moments where if I didn't laugh, I was probably going to scream. Sam already felt absolutely terrible, and trust me, Anthony was upset enough for all of us.

Later I asked Anthony why Sam wasn't helping him afterward.

His response?

"Because I didn't want to scream at him."

Fair enough.

We had a long talk with Sam afterward about being aware of his surroundings, slowing down, and remembering that driving isn't something you rush through.

Speaking of rushing...

He was supposed to take his driver's test on Tuesday.

Except...

He accidentally signed up for the wrong class.

So now we're paying another $100 for him to take it through a driving school instead.

Honestly?

I kind of hope he fails.

I know that sounds terrible, but I really think he needs more practice before he's out driving by himself. Apparently, I'm the only one willing to say that out loud.

Anthony, on the other hand, is over there being Fun Dad.

He keeps saying, "The driving instructor can fail him if he isn't ready."

What the heck?!

So here we are.

Sam is spending tomorrow at Six Flags, then he'll be home Thursday.

Driver's test is Friday.

Please...

Wish ME luck.

Because I have a feeling this is only the beginning of teaching a teenage boy to drive. 😂