I’m standing in a room…
and I’m wondering how I got here when I was just in a hospital bed holding a sweet little baby boy that was only 7 pounds.
Now, there’s a boy standing next to me who is clearly taller and feeling pretty good about himself because he’s towering over me with his additional 5 inches.
I’m feeling a little like Harry Potter. I know that feeling behind my belly button just before the flue powder whisks me away to another place. I just felt in when I arrived in this room and I’m already feeling it again.
I’m not ready to be transported in just minutes to another 15 years ahead. A time when I may be standing in my 30 year old son’s home watching him hold his own baby.
It can’t have happened this quick.
And yet here I am. Surrounded by strangers who are numbly standing or sitting uncomfortably and impatiently waiting for their number to be called over the intercom. Only 3 more and Emmett will be standing at the window.
I’ve come so that I can specifically get some pictures. I can’t let this 15-year-old-getting-his-long-anticipated-permit-moment pass without the story being told. I’ve taken a few shots and already I’ve gotten some, “Mom, I can’t believe you’re completely embarassing me right now” death looks from Emmett. I am undeterred. I keep shooting wanting to remember the way he and Mike look sitting in the waiting area filling out the papers, discussing the intricacies of the Motor Vehical Department’s reasoning for the way paperwork, their paperwork, needs to be filled out.
It’s all very serious for Emmett.
He’s been looking forward to this day.
There is deep concern that for some unknown reason they will turn him away. Be unwilling to give him the permit that he so desperately wants.
I know I’m pushing my limits right now. One of Emmett’s piercing glances is going to melt into nothing on the spot here soon…possibly with the next push of my shutter.
And they call D351.
He quickly moves to the window and I know he’s hoping he’ll lose me. That he’ll somehow throw me off his scent and I’ll be left behind. The window is less than 15 yards away and I have no problems getting there. I can see the disappointment in his face.
I decide to be more stealthy and hide behind a counter where I’m more out of the way. He loses track of me and I can see that he’s thinks he’s been successful in dodging my attempts at a picture.
He looks up and spies where I’ve been standing and gives me a, “Really?” look.
They take his picture and I don’t want to make him nervous so I take a picture of him getting his official permit picture in the mirror that he’s not even thought of using.
He and Mike finish his paperwork and I decide I’ve gotten some good pictures.
We sit in the rows of chairs and wait for his name to be called…we wait for the moment when they will hand him his permit.
At this point I’ve decided to stop being the embarrasing mom. I’m just going to sit here. Let him have his moment. Not bother him and make him worry about how I may be making him look ridiculous. I’m happy enough with the pictures I’ve gotten. It’s not the whole story but I’ll spare him.
They call his name. He goes to the window.
I stay in my seat and don’t pick up my camera.
And that’s when I see it. He turns to me and gives me the, “Are you going to get this mom? They’re about to give me my permit?” look.
I laugh and jump up.
This is it. I’m right here.
I always am. Always for you.
Make sure to sign up for all of the super fun stuff I send from the Familyness Fort!
*There are more days like this here.
*Did you hear about the casting call for happy families and couples in love?
13 Comments
Congrats to Emmett!!! I remember how exciting that moment is! Love the narrative of being the mom with the camera with a teen who is thrilled about the coverage 😉 AWesome photos as always!
And….he asks to drive everywhere we go now! haha. remember those days? when you couldn’t get to drive often enough? 🙂
Great story, great pictures! Congratulations, Emmett!
Thanks, Amy!
You’re going to have a driver sooner than you think!! 🙂
Oh man… I’m just half a step behind you. Shelby can get her permit in a few months and I can’t bear the thought. I like how you described the feeling. Yes… it is a bit disorienting!
Shannon! I can’t believe you’re going to have a driver, too! How crazy!
I loved the ‘really’ look, the shot with the mirror, and the flower pen. Your storytelling is spot on and brought me right back. Would have loved for one snapshot of that time. I’m a blink away as the parent and you gave me yet another reason to note today and his almost 10 yr old self. Cheers and hope you have shiny insurance too. : )
Sarah, it’s so crazy the way life takes off so quickly when you have kids. It seems like only yesterday that we moved here to SC and Emmett was only 10 years old. That he’s so tall and 15 completely blows my mind. How did that happen? Treasuring today is so important…your little note has made me pause on that…
Oh geez…the insurance! haha!!
That’s so special. Not that I have a 15 yr old, but I’m always afraid of bringing my camera along to super public places where I know I’ll get glares.
Who cares what they think? Are you ever going to see any of them again? (These are the exact words I said to my son while we were in the DMV! He didn’t appreciate it…I don’t know why not!! 🙂 )
Treasures. I feel like taking photos of milestones helps the kids to know that you know it is special and important. No matter how embarrassing! Thanks for the reminder 🙂
So true, Janet! My kids sometimes act embarrassed and then later they’ll say, “let me see what pictures you took!” When in doubt, keep photographing. That’s my motto. Haha..