Even when my son, Todd, was little, I hated all the gatherings. I’m an introvert at heart, and every PTA meeting, recorder concert and holiday singalong had driven me mad. But I’d never skipped any of them, and his friends had given me the title: “The Cool Mom.” I couldn’t argue with that.

Fast forward many years. I was recently at a small gathering, and trying very hard to blend into the wallpaper, when I bumped into Todd’s old friend Carlos.

He turned to say something snarky, no doubt, before recognizing me.

His big arms came up to hug me, and he laughed against my neck.

“Hey there, Cool Mom,” he said. “How’s life?”

He smelled good. Warm and spicy with a hint of fresh breeze.

I found myself a little flustered,... Read More