One small step away from boyhood, one giant step towards growing up

I am the first to admit I am an overprotective parent.

I am also the first to admit that my son hasn't always shown himself to be the most independent, self-reliant kid.

And no, don't even suggest that the second is because of the first, Buster.

But today we were lounging around in my bed and I said (jokingly), "Grunt, go into town and get me some bagels."

(Grunt, it's a term of affection, really it is).

And he said, "Ok, where's your money?"

I, thinking this was one of our many ridiculous conversations like the "Why can't we get a seal" one we were having just prior to this one, said "In my wallet."

And before I knew it he was dressed and ready to go.

The moment of truth. For both of us. Would he really do it? Would I really let him?

We live on top of a steep hill with blind curves, but just at the bottom of it is the local village with a fantastic bagel shop (hey, it is New York). He has never, ever walked anywhere by himself. Well, once he walked to a friend's house from school and immediately decided that walking was for the birds.

Oh wait, flying is for the birds, but you get what I mean.

It was freezing outside. He's pretty lazy. And I was still fairly confident this would end with him changing his mind. But it didn't.

So, we mapped out a strategy--stay on this side of the road, watch out for lunatics flying around the curves, be careful at the crosswalk and let's stay on the phone.

So off he went, giving me a play-by-play. My pride overrode my fear as I listened to him politely ordering a dozen bagels, asking for change, stuffing them in his backpack and then deciding to head next door to the bakery for a croissant or muffin.

I texted my husband and he was utterly gobsmacked.

I should be honest, if the roles had been reversed and he let my son do this while I was out I would have flipped. Like called social services flipped. But that's a post for another day. You've been very patient so far.

When he returned home he was triumphant. We hugged and high-fived and both acknowledged that it was a really big deal.

I let him keep the change and he declared the massive chocolate muffin he devoured the best ever.

I'm not surprised.