Dear Son

I think about you a lot during the day while I'm at work and on the days and evenings when we're apart. All too often when we're together, life goes so quickly and the hours and days slip by before I've gotten the chance to do and say everything I want to. Life is like that, I guess, and I'd rather it be overflowing than not full enough. But here, in this quiet moment, I wanted to take the time to tell you exactly what I want to tell you every moment of every day.

I'm proud of you. Not because of what you do, but because of who you are. I love watching you play and have fun and tell jokes and come up with interesting projects. And I love to watch you learn and see you accomplish things in school and in life. But much, much more than that , I am proud of what a good person you are - how thoughtful and generous and kind. You're not perfect! But life is not about being perfect. And I hope that you're never afraid to make a mistake - as we all do - and learn from it, laugh it off and get better and better.

You are an incredibly smart boy - probably the smartest I have ever known. It may not always show up in your school grades (although I hope you'll always try your best to get good ones!) - but you have the kind of curiosity and creativity and charisma that will take you far in life. I may be hard on you sometimes, because that's my job - to be strong and a good role model and try to teach you how to be the best person you can be. But when, like now, I have a moment to think about it, I just beam with pride. You're already pretty great. You're an inspiration to me, and I feel privileged to be your father.

I love you with all my heart, and I always will. And not just because it's my job.

Dad