Daughter Elisabeth and boyfriend George got to the Appleby’s before us for lunch yesterday, seated side-by-side and reading the menus when my dear wife Karen and I spotted them and sat down.
Good talk, much smiling, a raised eyebrow or two, more laughs and satisfying catch-up, as usual.
Health insurance changes. Physical therapy practices. Family photos on blogs. Dog walking and dog naming, for the excitable pooch left by relative the past month at George’s parents’ house.
All is well in their world, although Elisabeth is a tad nervous that George had to wire the radiator into the front of his car because it had detached.
It won’t explode, he told her more than once.
If that radiator falls out while you’re driving, you guys are are (in deep doo-doo), I declared, not helping matters much, playing my dad card to instigate just a little.
Oh, the life of twentysomethings a couple years out of college.
As we were walking out to the parking lot, they ahead of us, I had to tell my dear daughter to stop and let me pull out the iPhone 4.
Your hair is getting really long, I said.
When did your hair grow down to there?
Aren’t I right?
She acted like it was no big news.
I like it. Long hair looks good on her. And I told my dear daughter so.
George apparently likes it, too. Look at that young man smile.
Smile, you two. The radiator is still attached to George’s car.
Have you ever taken a good look at your grown kid and noticed a decision they’d made to change their look? What did you say?
Mark Bialczak 
Well, I’ve learned a few things NOT to blurt out, like when Gina bent over once to pick up something and I just asked when her butt got so big. WRONG!!!!! It wasn’t so bad when she showed up wearing glasses. I’ve worn them since 7th grade. Had hoped my kids would be spared, but….Also, when she showed up for a weekend home from college with her long, beautiful hair nearly shaved off. Heartbreak city. You have a beautiful daughter, Mark. Enjoy every minute with her. They move away and then you’re a grandpa, and a baby sitter, which is more fun, but you see your daughter as an adult then, not your little munchkin any more. She has munchkins of her own, but when you get lucky, you get to baby sit and spoil them rotten, then send them home for someone else to deal with. And suddenly have your daughter telling you if you don’t stop spoiling them she’ll make you pay for their therapy.
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It sounds as if you have the grand part down very well, Angie. Perfect, in fact.
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There’s an old saying Mark, “if I had know how much fun grandkids are I would have had them first.” Believe it.
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I can see that being true, Angie. Great day, time to go home with mom and dad …
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To compensate for not having kids, I was talking yesterday and realized that it will be 10 years since graduating college next year. Time flew by too quickly, but it’s been nice reflecting on how much I have grown.
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You are not alone. I was 32 when Elisabeth was born, Chris. And I have grown, too, since then.
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I’m with Rachel, your daughter is adorable! Cute couple.
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I am glad they are happy with each other, Sandra. That’s so important to this father!
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Lovely daughter. Lovely couple.
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Thank you so much, Rachel.
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My older daughters are constantly messing with their hair, which is a shame because their natural colours are beautiful. I try to say nothing, with mixed success.
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Even coining it as “You were already beautiful” still causes offspring angst, I’m certain, Ross. Good luck keeping the comments inside the thought balloon.
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Beautiful young lady and a very cute couple! Her hair is long and beautiful. I know you are a proud papa.
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I am a proud papa, PJ. Thank you.
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My 16-year-old son has changed his look many times over the last year. Long hair, short hair. Clean-shaven, beard. He looks wonderful, no matter what, and so do all the people in your photos, Mark. Thanks for this post!
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You are right, Ann, the personal choices she makes look good to me. Thanks!
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Every time I see them I wonder where that kid went…. They haven’t made huge changes yet. But I have a feeling they are on their way!!!!
I remember those days of wiring radiators to cars! (Though I never exactly did that). I wonder if they know they’ll look back on these days with total longing. 🙂
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One time this brilliant teen … me … thought it a good ide to Crazy Glue the muffler on my Chevy Nova back together with the connector pipe undereath the car. It took my mom and her nail polish remover to get my fingers unstuck from each other. And, Colleen, the moral of the story is: I had to get a new muffler anyway.
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HAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! That is a BRILLIANT story Mark!!!!
I wonder if your mom saw that goofy teen every time she saw him as an adult???????
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Oh, I think so, Colleen. What an easy target that made me for awhile.
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As it should have. 😉
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yes, every so often i am taken aback by them and how they have grown or matured in some way. it never ends does it? and now, it’s the grand babies turn. by the way, what a pretty daughter you have and they make a cute couple. and i am hopeful for them holding up, as well as the radiator, i think we’ve all been there.
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I am impressed that George could wire the radiator back in. That alone takes skill and savvy. You are lucky to be experiencing round two of the growing-up phase, Beth, even as round one never ends.
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that is true mark. a sign of his level of grit for sure. yep, i’m happy to be immersed in round two, with some overlap from round one )
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Yes. And I said, “That tattoo is very cool!”
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Perfect answer, Pops. Speaking of hair, see you at David’s in a couple hours.
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