After soccer practice, my son Tristan broke down in tears. The coach had hinted he should “toughen up.” For a split second, I almost repeated the same harsh words I’d once heard as a boy—the very words that made me quit the game I loved.

But instead, I drove him to get ice cream. Over melting cones, he whispered that he felt like a failure and wanted to quit soccer altogether. My heart sank.

I told him the truth: life isn’t about being the strongest, the fastest, or even the best. It’s about showing up, trying again when it’s hard, and giving yourself permission to grow. I admitted I don’t always know what I’m doing as a father either—but like him, I keep showing up.

He paused, wiped his face, and said softly: “I’m not quitting, Dad. I’ll keep trying.”

And in that quiet, sticky-sweet moment, we both chose the same thing—
to keep showing up, together. ❤️