03/24/2026
What I would tell my younger self:
Hey kid. I see you. 49ers cap, white tee, just trying to figure it all out.
It’s gonna be hard. Like, really hard. Missing dad is gonna hit different than you expect and honestly? It’s gonna stick around for a while. Let it. Don’t fight it.
But watch mom dude. Like, really watch her. She’s doing everything by herself and she’s never gonna let you see her struggle. The shoes on your feet, the food on the table…that’s all her. But it’s not just that. She’s gonna take you to Astros games. T-ball. Baseball practice. All star games. She even takes you to see Selena at her last concert. By herself. No partner. No help. Maybe she missed work. Maybe she took days off you never knew about. But she showed up. Every single time. You’re gonna understand that sacrifice later. When you do, honor it.
You’re gonna mess up. Bad. Learn from it and keep it moving. Don’t carry it longer than you need to.
You’re gonna take some chances that scare you. Take them anyway. They’re gonna put you around people and in places you never thought possible for a kid like you. Every single one of those moments matters.
Stay kind. Even when people take advantage of that and they will…don’t let it change your heart. That’s actually your superpower.
God’s got you. Even when it doesn’t feel like it. Especially then.
And then Mia happens.
Kiddo. She’s gonna change everything. Like, everything. The way you think, the way you move, the whole reason you keep going.
And here’s the wild part…you’re both young. You’re literally gonna grow up together. You figuring out how to be a dad while she’s figuring out life. Side by side. And somehow that makes it the most beautiful thing you’ve ever been part of.
She’s not just your daughter. She becomes your best friend.
Every risk you took. Every late night mom had. Every door God opened. It all leads to her.
You’re gonna end up in a good place kiddo. Doing good work. Around good people. With the same heart you always had.
It was all worth it my guy.
Just keep going. Figure it out along the way.
