While I lent a hand with certain cooking-related chores as a child, it wasn’t until I was 12 years old that I made my first rice dish. I was so proud of myself that I made something that everyone would eat. I didn’t allow it to burn either, as a result of being distracted by the television or a phone conversation with a bestie.

It was this experience that sparked my interest in wanting to learn more about the art of cooking. Admittedly, I had the greatest interest in making desserts.  I made cupcakes for school, pineapple upside down cake for a boy crush and then learned how to make my first carrot cake under the direction of a Tennessee baker named Mrs. Grace.

I imagined what it would be like to be a Mom and to teach my own daughter how to bake one day. Well, no daughters (biological, anyway) in my life, however, my youngest son has definitely inherited my love for sweets and is not afraid to experiment in the kitchen.

So, during his last week of summer break before heading back to college, (he was too busy before then) he and I decided to make, for the very first time, his second favorite dessert, New York Cheesecake. His favorite dessert is Mom’s famous Red Velvet Cake, which I generally make only for Christmas and birthdays.

I searched the internet and found a relatively easy recipe, using an ingredient that my Nana often used for her sweet potato pies, Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk. My son and I were a tag team and enjoyed every minute of our collaboration. He crushed the graham crackers and juiced the lemons, while I attended to the other ingredients. We talked about his upcoming semester of school and discussed some of the simple dishes that he enjoyed making last semester in his college apartment.

I must admit that I have been impressed by his willingness to be self-sufficient in the kitchen, sans the convenience of a microwave and takeout. It reminded me of myself when I first began experimenting in the kitchen. So far, he has not burned a dish or at least he hasn’t confessed to anything!

We became so immersed in our conversation that we didn’t realize that we had more crumbled graham crackers than we actually needed. Oh well, looks like we’ll have to make two cakes and freeze one for him to take when he leaves.

In the meantime, we created a pretty tasty cheesecake – together.

Another project for the memory book and a pretty cool way to bring the summer to a close.

Yet another reminder that it’s not always about the money spent or the quantity of the time engaged with your children.

It’s more about being present vs. perfect.

No matter the age of your offspring, when you spend quality time together, it reminds you of how lucky you are to be a Mom.

What bonding activity have you engaged in with your kids this summer?