I have never been a control freak. I am not an overly cautious person. I have never thought twice about leaving my children in the hands of family, friends, and babysitters. I don't even call to check on them.

But yesterday when my husband suggested that I take the kids to the park while he made my homemade salsa, I decided he must be joking. I took one look at his face, and he was not joking. I kept giving all kinds of reasons why this was a ridiculous suggestion. The recipe is very difficult and involves chopping, blending, dicing, and the perfect balance of ingredients. I have made it so many times, it would only take me a minute. The onions will make you cry.

He did not budge. He wanted to make the salsa.

I wanted to let him help. I did. But I was not ready to pass the salsa reigns off to my husband, because whenever homemade salsa is involved, way too much is at stake. We were having dinner guests that night who would be partaking in the salsa goodness. If the preparation turned out bad, the results would be disastrous.

But I left. I walked out the door with the two kids, but that salsa was at the forefront of my mind. Would he remember to only put in a few jalapeno seeds? Does he know how to dice a tomato? What if he uses to much or too little cilantro. I could not stop thinking about it. I placed my phone in my back pocket "just in case."

He didn't call. I got so anxious after 15 minutes that I called him. as the phone rang I thought 'why couldn't I let this go it was just salsa for goodness sakes.'

"Hows the salsa?" I tried to ask casually.
"It's good, you didn't need to call. I didn't call you so obviously it's going fine."
"Okay well I have my phone if you need anything. DO NOT hesitate to call with questions."
"Just one thing, when you cut up a green onion, do you cut all the green shoots off one onion?"

That's it, I thought. It's too hard for him, just like I thought. I packed the kids up and rushed home. He was just chopping up the last of the tomato when I arrived. He seemed cool as a cucumber

It looks pretty good I said cautiously. I tasted it.

He did a great job. It tasted wonderful.

Now that I have relinquished control of my salsa, I'm thinking of passing the reigns to Greg in several other arenas: he can bathe the kids, clean the house, and cook all the meals.

It might be hard, but I think I will eventually be able to manage.