Son,

I don’t know what world you’re going to be born into, but I am certain it will be in need of a good man. Your future mother may not approve, but I want to name you Atticus. He is a character in the novel "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, who unfortunately passed today. Which is why I am writing this to you. I’ll leave it to you to discover the novel and character in your own way. For now, you have this letter.

1. Living a life worth having.

Life is hard, son; it will knock you down and wait patiently until you get back on your feet, only to strike you harder than before. This is something you will learn to live with. But you need to realize that sometimes, life is harder on some more than others. You are blessed because I have been waiting for you my entire life; the kid taunting you at school might not be as blessed as you. What good will it do to respond with anger? When this time comes, and it will come, I advise you to invite them over for dinner. Those who lash out are only really looking for companionship. As you grow older, you will see that sometimes, life is harder on others not because of pure chance, but because their hardships are forced on them. Lend a hand if they need it, but do so not out of obligation or self-fulfillment, instead, out of pure compassion. Your voice will always be of more value than your belongings. Stand up for those who are unable to stand for themselves, speak volumes for those who lack a voice to echo to the world, and then your life will be something to be proud of.

2. Girls.

Girls will be icky, and then suddenly, they won’t be. Like a switch, your hormones are going to find their way into your bloodstream, and the girl you thought had cooties is going to be on your mind all day. Dating is a fun and wild ride, son, but remember to stay true to yourself. You will hear time and time again that nice guys finish last. Don’t buy into that. In fact, don’t listen to your friends when it comes to girls, because they are going to be just as lost and confused as you are. All you need is to be who you are and you will do fine. Girls are a lot like you, son; they want someone to like them in the same way that you want to be liked. If you find a girl that you like, tell her.

Don’t give into your hormones. Trust me on this one. I know I am your father and we will have the sex talk in due time, but when you are with a girl, you want to be captivated by her. Look for the girl who is going to make you a better man, who will help you successfully fulfill your life. If you get physical with a girl before you are captivated by her, then your body will make you feel feelings that aren’t really there, and eventually, they will subside for one of you. Heartbreak.

You’re going to find a girl that brings out the best in you; she will make a knot appear in your throat out of nowhere. You’ll think she is the best thing to have ever happened to you, and then, she will suddenly be gone. You will feel pain, and you will be told to dig a deep hole within yourself and bury it. Don’t. You should embrace it. Feel it. Ask the questions. Cry the tears and give it time. Time will always be on your side when your heart is feeling heavy.

3. Defining yourself.

It’s not what you do that matters, or even how you do it, but why. I am going to be proud of you no matter what you do in this life, but it has to have purpose. Your life is too precious to live aimlessly. Explore your passions, whether it is in music, literature, science, nature, or whatever else you discover. Give it a meaningful purpose. Money is something to acquire, and I encourage you to do so, but don’t let it define you. I want you to change the world in your own way, and I don’t think you will ever be truly happy until you do so.

4. Failure.

You are going to make mistakes, and it will be the greatest thing to ever happen to you. You are going to be told to worry about failure; you are going to be told to worry about a lot of things. Learn to accept failure, and success will welcome you with open arms. Every time you choose the wrong friend, girl, or business associate, you learn what not to do or want.

Love,

Your Future Father.