Conversation with my mother
Me: I just want you to know that you can now say something that all mothers dream of saying.
Mom: Yeah? What's that?
Me: That your daughter went on a date with a lawyer.
Mom: Oh that's great! What's he like?
Me: What's she like. She's cool. Brought me flowers and everything.
Mom: Oh. Well. That's nice. Is she cute?
Me: Yeah, totally.
Mom: So, about *insert random totally not related thing*
That was like six whole seconds. Up from her usual three, and with less vocal wariness than usual. Not impressive to outsiders, but it's my mom. This is progress, and slow progress is better than none at all.