As I sat down in front of my computer tonight, I had the fleeting dream that I was going to compose the most amazing article in the world. I was going to win a Nobel Peace Prize. I was going to be offered that big fat book deal I've wanted my whole life. And then I woke from that dream, and realized I had a better goal in mind. I was going to write a letter. I was going to write a letter to you.

Dear amazing kid of mine:

Three years ago, you packed up, you had taken almost all of your worldly possessions, and you traveled off what seemed to be 5,000 miles from home. In reality, we both knew it was less than an hour drive. But you might as well have been halfway across the country. You were moving away. Going to college. Starting the next phase of your life.

And as I walked around the big empty house that night after you left, I made a horrible mistake. I opened your bedroom door. I looked inside. I saw that it was almost empty. Your bed wasn't messed up. Your blankets were gone. Your comforter was gone. And I sat down on the floor.

And I cried.

I stood there in the hallway of our house, staring into that empty room. The first night that you'd moved up to college. Where you still are three years later. And I just couldn't move. Emotions took me over. They almost knocked me to the floor.

I walked into your room. I sat on the floor. And I cried.

I never expected it to be like that. I didn't know what I thought would happen. Shake my head. Go downstairs. Watch TV. Maybe put in a movie. Listen to some music. And then it hit me. You weren't a little kid anymore.

I made it downstairs after closing your bedroom door. I sat on the couch. And for the next half hour, I could only do one thing.

I cried.

It's now three years later. I sit here, writing this letter, and I think about all the amazing things we've shared. All the movies we've seen. All the books we've talked about. All the malls we've gone to. The stores we've shopped. The concerts we've attended. The trips we've taken.

God knows where the time has gone. But if there's one thing I've learned, its how blessed I am with the most amazing kid a dad could ask for.

You.

And I can't wait to see what the rest of forever brings to you. Because I'm proud of you. And I love you. And I want you to know that.

Sincerely,

Your dad.