Milkshakes, Mom & Me

It's 11 o'clock on a Monday morning, and I'm in the waiting room of the dentist's. Thinking about my appointment got me reminiscing of my first visit to the dentist when I was seventeen years old. I'm just as nervous as I was then with this being my first time seeing Dr. Temple.

Going to the dentist has always been a real big issue with me. Once I had to pay for a visit and never even saw the dentist, because I plum chickened out when it came my turn to see him. That one still get's my husband a little "unnerved."

You would be pleased with me. Over the years I have gotten a little bit better, but it's only because of something my mom did on that first visit to the orthodontist.

I'd like to share a short story of how my mom handled dentist appointments in an compassionate manner.

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Teenagers can still be babies when it comes to seeing the dentist.

My mom set up the appointment. I really can't recall what the problem was or even if there was one. This would be the first time for me to go to a dentist. She knew how nervous I was, especially because of the bad reports from my siblings.

My sisters had been several times to the orthodontist due to their all wearing braces, so they really didn't have any positive things to share with me at this time. Besides, if they did, they weren't going to tell me and probably hoped I would have to wear braces also.

We arrived at this small little building that looked nothing like what I had pictured. It has three floors, just like in this photo, but only the bottom floor was the dentist's office.

I can still see it in my mind as if it just happened. The waiting room looked no larger than an oversized bathroom, nothing like the one I'm in right now. No one was waiting to go in; it was only mom and me.

Forget relaxing; I couldn't. Back and forth I paced in the small area, peering out the windows that overlooked the street. Perhaps someone else has a visit and would walk in right at that moment, forcing me to postpone my appointment for a bit longer.

Of course, that didn't happen and into the office I went. Before I knew it I was done. To be honest, I don't remember anything about the dentist part at all. I guess it went well, because I never had to wear braces. The thing that has always stood out in my memory of going to any dentist came after the visit.

We left the office by the front door and walked around to the side of the building where mom had parked. Settled in the car she pulled out into traffic putting on her left blinker light only a few feet away from the doctor's office. My mouth was sore, but I was relieved it was all over.

This print is very much like the sign on the Twin Kiss Custard Stand that mom and I would visit so many times. It was great because you could have 4 different flavors if you liked with a double, double. That is double cones with double scoops.

They had double sided cones for your twist flavored ice creams.

Making another left mom pulled into the Twin Kiss Custard Stand parking lot. What's this? I thought. Mom must have wanted some ice cream. She loved it and certainly ate her share especially when she was expecting!

Then she surprised me when she asked if I wanted a milkshake. Something must be wrong I thought.... "I just got out of the dentist's mom." She assured me that she did realize it and that it would be alright.

At first I thought "ice cream" would be too cold and might hurt. I quickly changed my mind since milkshakes were a rare thing in our family. That probably wasn't the first chocolate milkshake I ever had, but it is the most remembered and special one I have drank.

I don't know if my mother ever took my siblings for milkshakes after coming from the dentist's, but when I had to see him it was milkshakes, mom and me. She knew how to turn an uncomfortable situation around with something as simple as a milkshake.

From that first appointment to the dentist to this very day I still connect the two things, and oddly find it comforting when the whole ordeal is over knowing that there is a chocolate milkshake with my name on it waiting for me!

It's already been twenty minutes now waiting to see the doctor. I can hear him out in the hallway.

I'm sitting in the dental chair with a pink bib lying on my chest still jotting down notes for this article. The tech just took an ex-ray. Ooh, it doesn't look good. It will have to come out I'm sure.

In the meantime, my husband is in here with me anticipating when the dentist will make his arrival. He glances over in my direction and just asked me,

"Where am I taking you from here?"

"Home," I say thinking he could read my mind.

"What, no milkshake?" he replies with a smile.

Looking at him I answered, "Well, of course ... then home."

These are the supplies that I have at home for when I want to make my own milkshakes (they taste so good). Having extra shake cups allows you to make several shakes; you can find those from the milk shake link above as well.

I like serving our milkshakes in a soda fountain glass with a spoon and straw. It brings back good memories while making new ones.

My long spoons which we affectionately call "the 18 inch spoons", are great for reaching the bottom of the glass when we make thick shakes, ice cream sodas or sundaes.

We purchased two sets use these spoons because we use them for so many things besides beverages, like reaching to the bottom of those big peanut butter or mayonnaise jars!

Whatever way you choose to make your milkshake, it will come out tasting great with the Hamilton Beach Chrome Drink Mixer.

How to Make A Milkshake