Rite of Passage, Hval style

Every tribe has its rite of passage defining manhood. In our tribe it is this— the passing of barbecue tongs— the lighting of the flame. Today my son is a man. ‪#‎ sob — Cindy, via Facebook.

DFO: I suspect my rite of passage occurred the day my father handed me the keys to a tractor and told me to mow alfalfa in the lower 100 acres. It was the summer of 1963. I was 14. I mowed, raked & hauled hay for the next 3 summer, until my parents moved, leaving me behind to fend for myself and attend my senior year of high school. At 16, I suspect, I began taking care of myself. I’ve never looked back.

Question: What is the rite of passage in your tribe?