Proud papa moment:My daughter flew a plane today. She says she's going to the airforce. I'm about to erupt with pride so here I am.

I've been a pilot for about 16 years, now, and I own a small flight school. Aviation has always been my passion and I've shared it with anyone who would give me an ear. My 12 year old girl is even more enthusiastic about planes and helicopters than I am. Her birthday was a few weeks ago and I'd promised her that I'd take her up after she turned 12.Today was the day. We got up bright and early at 6am...or that was when I got up. She, on the other hand, was sitting in the kitchen fully dressed and ready when I stumbled in there at about a quarter after 6am."Take your time, dad. But remember we don't wanna be late."And I swear it's one of those moments that'll stick with me forever. The sun just creeping through the windows and her sitting there with a USAF cap, aviator sun glasses, and a brown leather jacket set off by her pick nail polish, pink watch and purple chuck taylor's (my kid has style).We get out to the airfield and she was so on the ball about everything. I can tell she's been studying about aviation because she was dialed in and even lead me on some of the preflight inspection (obviously she's got a long, long way to go but to think she knew as much as she did...it's impressive).It was amazing to see her mature before my eyes. It's usually a headache getting her to sit down or slow down but today she was patient, attentive and generally dialed in on everything.When we got into the air and I'd given her the basics, I sat back and said, as I'd say to any of my students, "Your airplane" and this kid responded, with laser intensity, "I'm in control of the aircraft".That moment was actually bittersweet. On the one hand, you know, my daughter's a freaking badass, plane-flying rockstar. On the other, she's growing up and one day not too long from now she'll be flying planes without me.The highlight of the day was when we were cruising along and she tells me she wants to go to the airforce academy and become a fighter pilot. I'm just so proud of her. She has no idea. I had to hold back tears I was so overjoyed. Not because she wants to be a pilot and because she's slightly following in my footsteps, but because I saw my little girl growing up.The focus and passion and confidence she had in that plane (that she nearly killed us in at least 3 times...I kid but not really. Like I said, tons to learn) was everything you hope for as a parent. via /r/Parenting http://ift.tt/2uLQU0U