Sometimes just getting a three-year-old dressed and out the front door can be a major accomplishment in itself. So when my good friend Joel and I made plans to spend a recent Sunday together outside with just our three-year-old boys (read: no mommies, no sisters and no women folk) riding bikes all morning and surfing all afternoon, I knew we were being somewhat ambitious.
So it came as no surprise, when soon after hitting the trail, the younger cyclists among us were ready to ditch their balance bikes and take turns riding in the child's seat on the back of Joel's bike.
The tandem trend continued later on at the beach when we took the boys out for rides on our boards. We capped off this epic day with an evening beach fire.
No, Joel's wetsuit was not designed with a kid pouch on the back. But yes, once again, necessity proves to be the mother of invention, with Joel pushing the boundaries of DIY innovation for the sake of fun-ction.
Rite of passage. Initiation. Whatever you want to call it, that's what we did. On purpose, as often as possible, throughout the day.
Brace yourself for what comes next:
I'm a good dad.
You read that right. I just bragged on the internet about being a good dad.
I'm not a perfect dad. I'm a good dad.
Joel is a good dad.
Given the trend that seems to be gaining momentum in our culture lately, where men and dads are routinely being portrayed as inept doofuses, I know I'm going against the grain here. But here's the thing: I'm not ashamed in the least.
I'm a good dad. Could I be a better dad? Of course, there's always room for improvement here.
But, did I mention that I'm a good dad?
Moment of initiation. Welcome to the tribe, little Emmet.
Father and son, bound by love. And neoprene.
Sandy slider. Drop, climb, repeat.
Après surf cozy clothes.
Male bonding at its most primal: communal fire building.
We got there, eventually.
The stuff of dreams.