When I was in college, my father was so protective I thought he was a borderline psychotic.

I attended an all-women’s college (my own decision) and really didn’t give my parents much trouble. I was the oldest girl in the family and had a firstborn’s sense of responsibility. One summer night before my senior year, a handsome fellow who had recently graduated from college and held a very respectable job invited me to dinner. When he came to my house to pick me up, my dad introduced himself. Unfortunately (or fortunately) for me, something about the fellow rubbed my dad the wrong way.  I couldn’t see it because, quite honestly, the guy was really cute. My father asked what time I would be home.  Yes, he reminded me, I was living at his home for the summer and that included a curfew. I told him that I would be home at midnight.

We went to a fancy restaurant and afterward went to another for dessert and drinks (the drinking age was eighteen back then). Needless to say, I was so enamored with my date that I forgot about the time. It was 12:30 a.m. All of a sudden, at this lovely,…