I am grateful for dinner with my son and for who he’s becoming. via /r/gratitude

I took my 15 year old son out to dinner tonight just because we haven’t done anything one-on-one in a while. Sometimes we’ve struggled to get along and definitely can butt heads as many teen boys and their dads do but it’s been really good lately. We’ve had many great times and adventures together but the day to day of expectations at home and teen laziness have often be trigger points for both out frustrations.

Regardless of the battles we’ve had at times, I am so grateful for who he’s growing up to be. He’s found real dedication to athletic stuff he loves. He’s given his all to baseball, wrestling, weightlifting and powerlifting for several years now. He’s changed his whole appearance through this and gotten much fitter.

Despite the gym rat he’s becoming he also found time for his first real girlfriend. I watch him with her and listen to him on the phone and I am thrilled to see he is sweet and kind to her. He’s not cocky or pushy or rude to her. They both seem genuinely sweet and caring toward each other. I’m proud of him for this. So many teen boys don’t seem to be like this. I’m grateful my son acts like a respectful gentleman.

Just a quick bit of gratitude for being dad to this boy.