Dear Ben,

Today you are sixteen, and I am terribly excited! I finally have the driving help I have waited for for years! After I take you to hopefully pass your driver’s exam, I will send you off into the world in the old 1994 Honda Accord. With fear and trembling.

I know that over the next days, weeks, months, I will annoy you to pieces.

I will say things like, “Be sure you drive the speed limit!”

Which really means, “I am really afraid that if you get a ticket, I won’t be able to afford the insurance any more!”

And, “Don’t get distracted by the radio or a/c.”

Meaning, “People make sudden moves in front of you. If you aren’t aware, you could rear-end someone. And get hurt. And I really, really don’t want you to get hurt.”

I’ll also say, “Never talk on your cell phone and NEVER text while driving!”

And in my head I’m thinking, “If you have a wreck while using your cell phone and someone is injured, you could be doing jail time.”

I’m sure I’ll nag, “Watch out for school zones!”

Meaning, “Whatever you do, don’t hit a kid! Talk about ruining lives…his, yours….”

And I’ll ask, “When will you be home?”

Meaning, “I worry when my little chickies aren’t all safe in the nest. Hurry back so I can breathe a sigh of relief and go to sleep at night.”

And I’ll definitely say, “NEVER drink and drive.”

Meaning, “NEVER drink and drive.”

And I’m sure I’ll say, “Be careful.”

Which means, “I love you.”

I’m sure I’ll say all sorts of other things, and they’ll all annoy you. You will roll your eyes. You will think I don’t trust you or that I assume that you are a bad driver.

It isn’t that, dear Ben. I’m just being your mom, trying to adjust to your new freedoms. I’m frightened and worried, and I’m not so good at this letting go thing. So bear with me. And be careful. Okay?