An open happy birthday letter to my 14 year old son from dad.
Every year Zach and I each write a heartfelt letter for our children on their birthdays. It’s a good time for us to reflect on the year behind and look forward to the year ahead. A letter of encouragement, photos of quality time moments spent together, and basically a simple “proud parent letter” to them from us.
My intention in writing these letters is to compile them as a gift on each of their 18th birthdays. A reminder that, while time flies in a blink of an eye, we will always be here for them with unconditional love and a safe space no matter where their adult lives take them in their own life.
Dear Son,
Happy Birthday old man! Seriously you are making me feel old with how big you are getting.
It is crazy that you are finishing middle school and will soon be in high school. I give you a hard time, but truly I am so excited to have such a big helper around the house.
I shouldn’t even say it that way because it sounds like you are a kid. You have gotten so grown! Not a little boy anymore – I truly have a teenage son now!
It really has been a game changer with you being able to help me and I appreciate your great work ethic. From building things around the house to getting stuff down from the attic, it makes a huge difference in my daily life.
You are a good son and will be a strong man with all the lifting and carrying you help me do!
It’s so crazy that you have to shave now!!! It seems like just yesterday you were a little boy pretending to shave with a plastic razor – you’ve come a long way and now are into your teenage years!
You don’t have to shave very often but still you are growing up and this routine will become a regular part of your life. In fact, by the time you read this, you will be so sick of having to spend so much time having do it.
I really feel like you have grown-up not just physically but also with maturity and with your ability to learn how to do things and do them well. You have helped me so much at the land. I’m pretty sure you’ve helped extend years of my life thanks to your help!
I could now have accomplished what I have out there without you. Driving the tracker. Picking me up in the bucket.
It is a big deal to be able to trust you with it. I know that you will follow my instructions! You listen and pay attention. Yes, you make a little mistake here and there but we still have a lot of time to keep learning!
I hope I am a good example to you as my oldest son and help instill our family values as well as God’s Word.
You killed it at archery this year. It is so cool to see you put your mind to something, put the work in, and accomplish big goals.
I know you didn’t shoot as well as you wanted at state, but you proved that you can get outside your comfort zone, learn something new, work hard, and produce results.
That is a super important lesson to have in life. It will serve you well in all aspects. Being a businessman, Father, good husband. Anything worth it takes hard work and dedication. The payoff when you do those things is so rewarding and will impact the rest of your life.
I, alongside your mother, will always be your biggest supporter and am excited to watch you try out tennis in 8th grade this year.
Lastly, I can’t write this letter about all the good things without mentioning skiing!!! It is my favorite thing to do with you. This last month taking our ski trip together was such an awesome trip.
You push yourself and try to keep up with me on the slopes (you can’t, haha). You also keep me going in the right direction and from doing too many crazy things on the runs. You really do love it!
It makes me so happy as a dad that you found things that you love and we can share those together. I hope that it’s something we get to do together for a long time. My dad is my best friend and I hope that one day as you get older we will be able to be close friends as well.
I love you so much, and I couldn’t be more proud of the young man you have become, and the future man you are setting yourself up to be. Put God first, Be humble, not prideful, treat others with respect, and call your mother. You are an amazing young man and I am excited to see the great things to come in your future.
Happy 14th Birthday!
Love, Dad
Past Birthday Letters to my Oldest Son:
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