I thought you would be mad

My oldest daughter says to me, "Someone saw Emma walking in the mall, holding hands with a boy. Did you know that?"

"No, but Thank you." Remember. Never discuss one of your children with the other.
So I say to Emma, "Do you have a boyfriend that you are meeting at the mall?" She says yes. So I ask, why don't I know about this and she says, " I thought you would be mad."

Why? What makes you think that? ( I already know. Daddy would be mad.) But I say, I remember 8th grade. I, too, held a boy's hand. Times don't change. Everything you feel, I felt, and it's ok. I'm not mad. I'm on your side.