The Perfect Waffle

Waffles were taboo when I was growing up. We owned a really old waffle maker, one my parents likely got as a wedding gift. Dad was a breakfast guy. On the weekends, we could rest assured we would have omelets or pancakes, poached eggs or scrambled, and sausage patties or bacon cooked to perfection.

Once in a while, I had a hankering for waffles. Sadly, waffles were off the table. They were just not discussed. Dad and that waffle maker didn't get along. But I was always one to push the envelope, so one day I got up the courage to ask Dad to make waffles. Being a good sport and maybe a glutton for punishment, he agreed. He just likes to make people happy. And he likes to make breakfast.

But as soon as the words escaped my lips and Dad said, "yes," Mom voiced her concern. "Waffles?" she exclaimed. "No, not waffles. It will just ruin everyone's day!" Dad assured her it would be fine. He'd oil up the iron good this time. The waffles would be great.

Mom was right to be wary, though. Things went bad quickly. The first waffle was ready, but it stuck to the iron. It hit the trash. The second one surely would be better. The iron just needed to warm up. A little more oil. It was all good.

Number two is ready. We all sit anxiously. The iron opens. The waffle sticks. Forget the waffle, this time the whole waffle maker hits the trash. That was the end of waffles at our house for a long time.

Now, along comes that newfangled nonstick surface, and my husband and I get our own waffle maker for a wedding gift. And four years later, along comes Carter, our firstborn. He grows to be a power breakfast eater. The kid can put away adult-sized portions, times two. Lately, he has developed an interest in cooking breakfast. With some supervision, he's quite the cook. He even makes waffles.

Twenty-five years after the waffle fiasco of my childhood, my 9-year-old son has done it! He's brought waffles back to their rightful place at the breakfast table. And he's pretty pleased with his efforts, too. A few months ago, he made waffles for the first time for our family and, in his cooking glory, he gazed at the stack of waffles and shared his thoughts on what waffles can do for the world.

"People don't have to be perfect," he said. "But waffles can be."

The insight of a child.

Carter's waffles were perfect. Because he made them.