Daniel: Now that is going to be hard. There are some really cute ones at my school.

Bette: Oh my lord. Fasten your seat belt Tina, we are in for a ride with this one.

Mary was laughing: I believe Daniel is going to be an entirely different experience than Angie was.

Tina:  Yes, he will be. He is an entirely different person. But it’s something that we joyfully look forward to. Just as we did in raising our daughter. We love you both. And we are so very proud that you are our children. Now, who wants more coffee?

The family decided that they had enough. Bette paid the bill while Tina summoned the limo to take them back to the hotel. Suzanne asked Angie why they had a limo take them to and from the hotel. Angie whispered that her moms would not drive when they consumed more than a beer or a glass of wine. Since they were expecting to have more than that, they provided a driver and a vehicle. Suzanne nodded as she understood their concern for safety.

Once at the hotel, Bette and Tina hugged Mary and Daniel good night as they headed for the elevator. They then invited Angie and Suzanne to the bar for a nightcap. Both accepted.

Tina ordered four White Russians for the group. Angie was pleased to have a few more minutes with her parents. The conversation was light and friendly and even loving. Suzanne was impressed that Angie was being treated as an adult by her parents – as an equal or a peer. Angie was being asked her opinion and allowed to fully express her thoughts and was never corrected or diminished due to her age or experience. And what really impressed Suzanne was the fact that not once did Angie’s family tell her what behavior was right or what was wrong. None of those beware of boys or alcohol or drugs warnings. That was about all she heard in the conversations from her parents in the last couple of weeks from her own parents. She made a mental note to ask Angie about that later.

When the drinks were finished, they signed their bill and then went to the lobby. Tina hugged Angie goodnight and hoped she slept well. And then Bette hugged Angie. She was doing everything she could not to cry. It was an emotional moment as this was the last night Angie would be her child, her baby, her little girl. She had been working toward this for years and the moment finally arrived. And all she could do was say: “I love you Sweetheart. Sleep well.”