When I was growing up, my father made it VERY clear that I was not going to start dating

until I was 16 and not a single day before!

The issue was never pushed. I knew he meant business.

Once I did reach the age of 16 and was able to start dating, it was nearly impossible to have a social life, because word of my strict dad spread quickly around our school.

All it took was ONE date to ruin my social life and teen dating career, but looking back, I’m glad my dad did what he did.

The boy pulled in the drive to pick me up and dad was ready for him. When the boy knocked on the door, my dad greeted him – just as any father of a teenage girl would. It’s no wonder teen boys are so darned nervous when they start dating. Back to what I was saying… Dad introduced himself and laid out the ground rules for dating his daughter.

I was to be home at 11:00 PM and not one single minute late. To insure that we were on the same time, dad asked if the boy had a watch. If he didn’t have one, dad kindly provided him one that was set according to our clocks.

Dad then took a walk out to check out the car I would be riding in. The air in the tires were checked, the gas gauge checked to insure there was enough gas to get us where we were going and back. Then the boy was asked to start the car so dad could hear it run.

Once that was all said and done, if the boy was still around, I was then permitted to go on my date.

At the time I was horrified by my father’s behavior, but in hindsight, I don’t think I would have had it any other way.

I eventually did marry the first boy my parents ever let me date without giving him the third degree. He’s always been my parents favorite — even to this day.

It’s funny, all these years later, on our second first date, that same boy that was terrified to date my fathers daughter still held apprehensions of dating her, twenty years later.

Now that I’ve taken my stroll down memory lane, what do you think about dating? Is there a set age? Or is it maturity? If maturity, do you honestly believe that a 14 or 15-year-old can be mature enough to date? And if so, are they allowed to date someone who drives?

I’m curious to hear from others on this topic. And just how your own growing up and dating has influenced your decision today?