My baby is growing up, y’all. Bug earned her Dental Assistant I certificate over the summer. A few short weeks later, she started her first job.

She hoped to find a DA I position but had to start one rung lower at sterilization. Luckily, she was hired by a large office and will have the opportunity to move chair side when a position opens up.

After that, she can start working towards her DA II.

The job came with a slew of benefits: pay well above minimum wage, insurance, sick time, and paid time off.

That’s better than my first job – and most of the ones that followed!

That shouldn’t surprise me. Bug is better than I was at that age. She has always been responsible beyond her years.

After Bug got hired, she asked Brandon to teach her how to budget. He taught her the 50-30-20 rule. She got the hang of it pretty quickly.

She’s saving for school. In the meantime, she’s trying to decide where she wants to wind up in dentistry. Dentist? Hygienist?

I can’t even believe she’s so grown. It seems like her graduation was just yesterday. At this rate, she’ll have a full-blown career before I know it.

She makes me proud – but I can’t help missing her.

The house is lonelier now that Bug has started her first job. We all notice it.

Belle drifts into the den a lot more often these days. The pets sleep in Bug’s bed like they’re keeping it warm for her. And I’m glued to my phone, waiting for her daily lunch break texts.

I keep wondering how much longer I’ve got. Will Bug stay with us for another year? Two?

Eventually, she will want to fly off on her own. That is the goal of raising young’uns: giving them wings.

I just hope I planted those roots deep enough. I want her to fly – but it sure would be nice if she did so close to home.