#champ;

Alright, I found a good picture.

Dear Kangdae, 

I know there are a lot of things you don’t quite understand just yet. But that doesn’t matter, not really. 

All that should matter for you right now is that I love you. You know that, right? I always have and I always will. 

I fell in love with you the day you were born. Maybe even before that. The first time I went to an ultrasound with your umma was probably the day I fell in love with you. But the day you were born and the day I held you for the first time, was the moment I was determined to give it all I have to raise you. 

I hope you know that you mean the world to me, because you do. You have made me a better person, there is no doubt about that. I am who I am today because of you. And I will spend the rest of my life trying to make it up to you. I will always be here for you, no matter what it is. I will always love you, no matter what happens, or what stupid things you will do in the future. Please don’t ever forget that you can always turn to me, with everything. 

You know.. I never thought that I would ever have kids. I never thought I would be a good father. But then you came along and showed me different. 

And now the highlight of my days is coming home to you and your mother, to spend time with you, to learn from and with you and then to tuck you in and to read you a bed-time story. Funny how things can change, huh? 

I never would’ve thought that the most fun I can have would be drawing with a seven year old, to build crooked houses out of lego, or to hide kitchen utensils from Chaerin together with you, whenever she isn’t looking and then sitting snickering at the kitchen table, while she thinks she’s going crazy. 

There are so many things you’ve taught me about myself, that it still amazes me up until this day. There is so much different forms and shapes of freedom and I learned that being behind the wheel isn’t the only way I can feel free. And I’m glad you taught me all of that, because otherwise I would’ve missed out on so much.

You truly are my champion, you know. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me, Kangdae. And I can’t wait to learn more, to discover more and to watch you grow up into the great man you will be one day.