Now what?

To my surprise, Gary actually let Anthony drive Jennifer home last from his house (on the back roads, 5 min away as it turns out).

He wanted to meet Gary. Gary, tired, asked if this momentous event could wait to the weekend. Apparently, not.

So we quickly cleaned up the house, just in time for the two lovebirds to appear on our porch and walk in the door.

I introduced Anthony and Gary. Then we just sort of looked at each other. Usually, when there is another parental unit in the room, we can strike up a conversation and ignore the kids. But I was getting the feeling, to his credit, that A. wanted to make a good impression and a connection with G.

We didn't have any iced tea or pop ready, and no dessert (again, this was last minute).

So after a bit, he smiled and he and J. went out to chat on the porch.

"Was he expecting us to invite him in and have something to eat?" I asked later.

I'm afraid by the look Jennifer gave me, apparently so.

Meddling or minding the store?

That 's what this WSJ story seems to explore when it talks about teens dating and how parents respond (either with a rigid set of rule, or a softer touch). And it seems to say more about the parents ' comfort level with each other , than about who Johnny or Jane is dating on any given day.

Gary and I seem to be on the more gentle hand role than the set rules role. We need to know where she is, who she's with and preferably meet the parents of said girl or boyfriend before an outing.

J's out at Wild Waves right now, and of course, hasn't called, but I didn't specifically ask her to either. So now I'm going to call her. As for boyfriends, well she just informed me she broke up with her latest amore after 4 days. So no worries on dating, at least for the next 24 hours.