Happy Birthday, Son: Thank You for Watching Me Learn to Be a Son Too

Today is your birthday. And while I could write about all the things I hope for you — and believe me, there’s a long list — I find myself reflecting on what you’ve taught me.

You see, you haven’t just watched me be your dad. You’ve watched me learn to be a son.

You’ve seen me stumble. You’ve seen me try to figure this out — how to walk in grace without excusing my failures, how to stand back up after messing up, how to receive love I didn’t feel I deserved.

You didn’t get a dad who always had it together. What you got was a dad who was still becoming a son.

You Showed Me Grace That Looked Like God’s

There were days I wish you hadn’t seen. Moments where my frustration showed, my words were too sharp, or my heart was still wrestling old shame. And yet — you loved me anyway.

You didn’t hold back your hugs. You didn’t close your heart. You showed a grace that felt so much like the Father’s.

Being a Dad — and a Son — at the Same Time

Maybe that’s the most honest thing I can say: I’ve been trying to learn how to be a dad to you, while learning how to be a son to Him.

Being a son doesn’t mean pretending I’m perfect. It means letting grace do its work—real grace, not cheap grace that shrugs at sin, but grace that calls me higher while picking me back up.

I hope you’ve seen that, even in my mess: That strength isn’t about never falling. It’s about never hiding.

It’s about coming home again and again.

On Your Birthday, Here’s What I Hope You Know

You don’t have to be perfect, son. You don’t have to wear a mask. You don’t have to outrun your failures.

What matters most is knowing whose you are.

Knowing the Father’s love is bigger than your best day and your worst day.

And living like a son who can stand tall, because grace holds you.

Thank you for letting me learn this in front of you.

Thank you for loving me as I learn.

You’re not just my son. You’re a daily reminder of the Father’s grace to me.

Happy Birthday. I love you, Nathan.