CW: alcohol

Sometimes I think about how the first time my partner's father drank in front of me he apologized for it because they were southern baptists. That was such a wild concept to me so outside of my understanding of the world.

I grew up in pubs.

My parents were Irish folk musicans. They met because they both were playing at the same venue. My mom wanted lyrics to a song & this was pre Google. Everyone told her to go find my dad because he knows all the songs. Sure enough he did.

I loved going with them to the pub.

I was like 8 the first time I remember my mom talking to me about the way-too-drunk guy hanging around and the importance of drinking responsibly.

I watched my parents drink frequently my entire childhood and learned how they did it responsibly.

I don't think I ever saw my dad drunk, even though I saw him drink all the time. In fact in my teens I'd often take him shots of whiskey while he played music at home & learned how to pour my mom a glass of wine that wasn't too full b/c she's a lightweight.

When I was older (like 13+) hot toddies with just a small spoonful of whiskey did a wonder on a sore throat.

They let me taste sips in my teens when I was curious but I rarely was because most alcohol tastes gross and it wasn't this "forbidden fruit" thing for me.

Like I know the US is already way weird about alcohol compared to the rest of the world.

But that concept of him - as an adult over 21 - apologizing to me - another adult (19 at the time I think?) - because he legally drank a single beer in my presence is... weird.

It's funny because the Catholics have kids drinking wine for communion...

And Baptists are over here like: