Ryan just learned how to use the ATM machine at our bank.  It’s Sunday and the bank is closed but Ryan really wanted to deposit several checks that he’d been holding on to.

“No problem”, I said.  “Just use the ATM.”

It occurred to me that maybe he had no idea how to use an ATM, after all, he’s only had his checking account for several months.  But he didn’t bat an eye when I recommended it, so I passed it off.  Besides, if he had a problem, he could always call.

So off he went.

He got home a few minutes ago.  “Oh my gosh,” he started.  “I had to go to back to my car three times before I had everything I needed to deposit the checks.”

Inside I chuckled.  “Like what?”

“Well, I didn’t have a pen.  Then I forgot my ATM card.  But there was this really nice guy who helped me out.  In fact, he said he had just helped his 16-year old do the exact same thing about three hours earlier.  His son goes to Jesuit but he knows Keenan from Whitney (High School).  It was so weird.  It’s a small world.  Oh yeah, and he told me not to sign the back of the check in the middle.”

“Uh,” I started to defend myself, “There’s usually a line on the back of the check where you write your signature.”

“Yeah, mom, but you just told me to sign the back.  I wasn’t looking for a line to write my name on.”  Ah, those little details that get lost in too much familiarity.  I thought back to Nathan and his first trip to the ATM.  At least he called me.

“Anyway, I got the checks deposited, so it’s all good.”  He turned and walked away.

Small world, indeed.  I hope Keenan doesn’t tell this dad that Ryan’s mom is a kids’ personal finance educator.