I don't know if I was home. I don't know if I was at work. I don't know if I was in the basement on a Zoom call with a client.
I just... don't remember.
My son Nolan is such a light in my life. The kid who laughs at everything I do. Who runs to the door when I come home.
My wife probably told me. I probably told him "that's awesome bud" while staring at my phone putting out whatever fire needed putting out that day.
The worst part is that I DO remember Kaden's first steps (My son Kaden is Nolan's older brother). Every detail. It was New Year’s Day 2023.
Sitting in the living room. My hands under his armpits. Telling him “ready set go” and gently pulling my hands away. Him taking 7 wobbly steps toward my wife before he fell into her arms.
I was there. We recorded it. I sent it to my parents and in laws.
But a year later with Nolan?
Nothing.
That's when I knew I was broken.
Not that I missed it (maybe I did, maybe I didn't).
But that I was so tired, so fried, so burned out from the 9-5 grind and "building my business" on the side that I can't even tell you if I was there for my son's milestone.
Physically present. But mentally cooked.
You know who never missed their kids stuff? My boss. He'll leave at noon on a Tuesday, no explanation needed.
Meanwhile I'm answering his "quick questions" at dinner, eating lunch while I drive from one job to the next, and wondering how I became the dad who can't remember.
This won’t be my story anymore.
And if you're half present for the things that matter most because you're too exhausted to actually BE there...
It shouldn't be yours either.
Monday I told you I found a different way.
I'm going to show you what that looks like... and why it's nothing like what you've been taught.
Because I'll be damned if I miss another milestone.