thankful for "the talk"

I didn't go on a lot of dates in high school. {perhaps because of "the talk" I'm about to describe?} Mostly evenings with friends at a school dance, prom, etc, with a couple of "official" boyfriends sprinkled in {though I can't remember how we ever made it "official" before Facebook}.

When a young man would come to pick me up, my mom would meet him at the door, welcome him in, show him the way up to the den. My dad would rise from his chair, shake my date's hand, ask him to sit down for a bit.

"Now Mike {first date, Christmas Dance, 1997}, if you were going to borrow my car tonight, I would want to know what your plans are. Where exactly will you be going? What roads do you plan to take? How fast will you be driving? What time can I expect you to be back?

"But tonight you are borrowing something far more precious to me than my car. You're taking my daughter out. So I need to know exactly what your plans are for tonight, and I expect that you will take care of her and protect her until she is back in my home."

So began "the talk"... in fact it is rumored that Dad got out a map of Macon on occasion, asking the young man exactly what route he planned to take! What was at first "so embarrassing, Dad!" became a treasured tradition for Caroline and me, as we'd sneak down the hallway to eavesdrop on our dad's declaration of our value to him. Isn't that what every young lady needs to hear? I'm so thankful for Dad's affirming words and loving care.

And I wonder how many of our dates will one day be giving "the talk" to young men who come asking for an evening out with their daughters...