The Road They Choose (The Friday Ficks S6 E19)

Two days, 1,100 miles and 11 states. No distractions. No screens. No rushing. Just time.

I packed my youngest daughter up last week after she completed her junior year at Auburn University, then pointed her car north and let the road do what it does best - create space for

conversations that don’t happen anywhere else.

Somewhere between Alabama and Connecticut, with an overnight stop in Roanoke and a great dinner with her cousin, the miles turned into memories.

At one point, “Forever Young” blasted through the speakers. A few lines hit differently this time: “And when you finally fly away, I’ll be hoping that I served you well…But whatever road you choose, I’m right behind you, win or lose.”

That’s it, isn’t it? As parents, leaders, mentors - you don’t get to choose the road for them. You prepare them for whatever road they choose.

You offer guidance, share scars, dish some tough love, nudge them when they come off the rails and pass along what wisdom you can. But at some point, they turn the wheel themselves.

Different cities. Different careers. Different stages. Different dreams than you may have imagined.

And that’s not the hard part. The hard part is celebrating it. Fully and unconditionally. Being proud not because they chose your road, but because they had the courage to choose their own.

This summer, Sarah Joy heads to New York City to experience a new chapter in her interior design journey. And like Rod Stewart sings so powerfully, I’ll be right behind her. Win or lose.

Take the road trip. Spend the time. Enjoy the conversation. Play the music a little louder. Make more memories.

Because one day, they will fly. And when they do, the goal isn’t to hold them back.

It’s to know you gave them everything they need to soar - on the road they choose.

Own the day. Own the weekend.

Carl