It's 2022, so I generally text my adult daughter to check if it suits her before I call directly - I'm always trying not to interrupt.
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I was surprised by my smiling reaction to the following text messages Ms Twenty and I exchanged recently though.
"Can you talk now?"
"I am at a burger shop and then going to a bar sorry. Is it urgent?"
Why the belly laughs from me?
Well, it was a Tuesday night! It just seemed so carefree and irresponsible of my eldest and most conscientious offspring to be eating junk food and potentially drinking alcohol on a school night.
After the social restraints imposed on all youth in recent years, I was thrilled my diligent hard working university student was making the most of letting her shoulder length blonde hair down.
I tried again the next day, but at a bad time.
"My class got put online and moved forward so I won't be able to talk until 2.30"
I thought aiming for the next day might work so queried her commitments and received; "Oh, well, I am getting bubble tea with Claire at 12.30 and then I have class from 3.30-5.30 and then I am probably going to hang out with Izzy for a bit."
Getting desperate, I inquired; "Okay. Tonight?" Her response: "I have hub night from 7.30-9.30"
So obviously I just called her immediately anyway, right?!
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Heck, there is always voicemail if she absolutely couldn't pick up. She was eating an apple and travelling on foot between bookings, but we could then arrange a good time to talk.
My daughters still living at home use their text messages with a much greater sense of urgency. My 'P' plater recently attended a huge party and planned to catch a Taxi home with a friend, so I didn't have to wait up.
Don't worry, I still slept with my mobile strapped to my heart, so I was ready when I received, "You awake. Cos I'm scared. And don't want to call taxi. Not a vibe." Who needs solid sleep in the wee smalls anyway?
Sometimes I do, so I stay away and get lovely texts like, "I love you too mummy, I'll pray for you, and I love you so much, xxx"
