The Afternoon I Opened My Daughter’s Door—and Learned a Lesson About Trust

He’s always been a polite boy, the kind who looks you in the eye when he says hello and thanks you every time he leaves. He removes his shoes at the door without being asked and speaks with a gentleness that’s rare at that age. I’ve always liked him—and more importantly, I’ve always seen how comfortable my daughter feels around him.

But still, I’m a parent. And parents have imaginations that like to run faster than reality.

Most Sundays, I don’t worry. They go to her room, close the door, and spend the afternoon talking, laughing, or working on school assignments. And I remind myself that trust is something you give consistently, not only when it’s easy.

But that day, the giggles softened into hushed tones. The door stayed shut a little longer than usual. My thoughts started to wander into that uneasy place between caution and curiosity.

What if I’m being too relaxed?

Continue reading…