Letting go a little

My 17-year-old son Izaiah is taking his rider course at Space Coast Harley-Davidson… and I didn’t expect it to hit like this.

At first, it’s pure pride. Riding has always meant alot to me—freedom, focus, clearing your head. Knowing he wants that to, well that’s a good feeling. I do also think that impressing girls has more to do with it than spending time with Dad lol. I am already picturing future rides together, Daytona, Deland, the Keys…something shared and remembered, stories that he can someday share with my Grandchildren, and even his grandchildren.

But then reality creeps in. I’m not going to be with him evertime he leaves, he’s also going to be riding alone, to work, to his girlfriend/s house, to social events, he’ll likely form a friend group and they’ll do their own rides.

Because if you ride, you know the risks that come with the reward. You know how fast things can go wrong, how often bikes go unseen, snowbirds, how one small mistake can turn into something big. And now it’s not you out there—it’s your kid.

That’s where the “what ifs” start.

What if someone doesn’t see him?

What if he pushes too hard too soon?

What if I didn’t teach him enough?

What if him and his buddies build a ramp and he tries to jump the school bus?

Dropping him off at the riding academy will feel different. A transition from the little boy I used to pick up over my shoulders to him being a man. Like a line you can’t uncross. At his age, less than 6 months from being 18, you realize your job isn’t to control him—it’s to prepare him. Teach him all the lessons motorcycle riding teaches about life and yourself; respect for speed, awareness over ego, keep your head on a swivel, dont just trust eveyone you encounter, and that when you fall, you get back up.

And then… you let go, just a little.

Because under all the fear, there’s something more powerful and meaning—the hope of one day riding side by side.

Izaiah Age 10

Izaiah age 17