Around 9 years ago, I had an epiphany.
 
We discovered that our son, Champ, had autistic tendencies. He was four at the time (he's 13 now).
 
I’ll admit, my first question to God was, “Why?!”  Then suddenly; it hit me...
 
You see, at times, I’ve connected with Champ at a very deep level.
 
There are some things that I can clearly communicate to Champ that my wife sometimes can’t.
 
Champ and I both like having things done a certain way.
 
There are “rituals” we both like to do when we wake up, night routines, etc.
 
If we are taken out of that ritual—well—we can get a little grumpy. It throws us "off".
 
I realized Champ’s memory is really sharp on certain things. My memory is really sharp on certain things... things like specific numbers, etc.
 
Champ hates loud noises; he’s sensitive toward this. I hate loud noises; I too am sensitive. And, I despise balloons LOL.  
 
Although I haven't been "diagnosed", the evidence shows I do have autistic "tendencies".
 
I don’t know for certain and frankly, I don't HAVE to know.
 
But what I do know is that God made me Champ’s father for a reason...
 
When he’s going through things, sometimes only I can help him feel better (like his first heartache this year). 
 
When he’s having an “off” day, and no one else can relate, I can understand him.
 
God assigned me as Champ's Father. And I'm proud of him.
 
He has quirks. Who doesn't?
 
I'll never forget the night he graduated kindergarten. After the kids stepped off stage, I took him aside and told him, "I want you to remember this moment Champ. I want you to know I love you for who you are and I'll ALWAYS be in your corner."

 
And that night, I reflected on how my Dad was always in my corner.
 
Everything from drum line competitions, basketball practices and games, to adulthood challenges. He's still in my corner, rooting me on.
 
Him being in my corner is what inspired me to be in my son's corner. 
 
So yes, what you do NOW leaves a legacy and impact for years to come.
 
So today Dads... tell your children you're in their corner. 
 
Happy Father's Day,
Mikey

PS - We haven't changed a bit... well, except for him growing a million inches and my facial hair going from dark to gray. This is us after his first visit to the gym with me just a few weeks ago: