A new beginning

17 Christmas Eves ago, I laid in bed cradling you in my arms. You were 10 days old---last year, you were cradling your girlfriend.

I am witness to how you have grown to become a loving and sweet young man. No one would ever believe that you could be one, given the macho image you've always shown and have built so hard. But it takes a sweet girl like 'T' to bend you and for that, I am proud of you. You have learned that loving someone doesn't require commanding but showing it and caring for her is more important. I continue to silently watch the two of you...

She is a very sweet girl. Full of dreams and aspirations. Graceful yet not flirtatious. She knows what she likes to be and works on getting it. I feel good that you complement each other in the simplest of ways. Her family accepts you almost as they would accept their own son. You are now in "the circle of trust"--it has been given openly and I hope you'd take care of it. This is your beginning and I can only wish that it goes a long way.