It is hard believe that our son just weeks ago from completed his freshman year of high school. The realization that everyday day brings my wife and I another step closer to him moving on to college and life as an adult has hit me hard lately. Well and there is the whole turning 45 recently too.

The future is sitting hard on me. Much of it is financial with the expenses that come with children and time marching towards retirement. Trendy clothes, summer camps, a car (yikes!) and of course there is college. The current cost per year of an in state school is estimated at close to $20,000 per year if you include room and board when figuring expenses. The roller coaster that is life working for a company that has layoffs most every spring also does not help at times.

So how did this first year of high school go? Overall I would say Conner experienced success and the challenges one might expect as a student in a very diverse 6A public school. He made new friends, found himself with a new passion for music (jazz) and made his way through the maze that is teen high school life. Looking back, I am amazed at everything he accomplished and am proud of his choices

The picture of the man he will be in the future seems to be clearer all the time. I see a man that does not follow the crowd, respects others, loves to laugh, works hard, is a servant, is a leader, and more. Luckily he is many of the things I was not at his age and all of these are good.

We never know as parents what our child really feels inside. We hope their hearts are mostly filled with joy of the present and positive hope for the future. We know that at times it is filled with pain, self-doubt and questions. We pray that the positive and negative experiences of youth are simple building blocks to the trials that will come as an adult.

As father’s day approaches, I am so thankful to have such a wonderful son. Being a dad is the greatest of my responsibilities and the greatest of joys as well.

New Dads—Don’t let miss a moment of your child’s growth. They will indeed be gone before you know it.