11 Years Ago Today I Became Jake’s Dad

Wow time really flies. Today is my son Jake's 11th birthday and I'm trying to figure out how that happened so quickly.

This apple didn't fall far from the tree. Jake loves video games, pinball, Star Wars and pizza, just like his dad. Where he's even better than I am is his artistic ability and how much he cares about others. I really couldn't ask for a better kid and he is constantly making me proud.

One of my favorite moments with Jake over the past 11 years was when he was 3-years-old. He was in a timeout because he had hit his mother. When it was time for me to go in and have the talk with him about why he did what he did, I grabbed my Flip camera. Remember those?

At a young age, this kid could spin a wild tale of fiction in his effort to get what he really wanted.

And then there was the time Jake and I snuck into my co-worker's office and decorated his windows with 8-bit art using Post-It Notes.

When he was born, I remember wondering what kind of father I would be and honestly, if I could even do it. I quickly learned that it wasn't about me being a good father. It was about Jake being an amazing son.