Ep. 20 - Every Birthday Changes Me

There are moments in fatherhood that quietly change you. For me, it's my son's birthday. In this deeply personal episode of **That Dope Dad**, I open up about what it feels like to watch my son turn seven years old. Every birthday brings unexpected emotions—not sadness, not just joy, but the realization of how quickly time passes. As he grows older, I'm reminded that I'm growing older too. This isn't just an episode about celebrating a birthday. It's about asking the hard questions every father should ask himself: Am I present enough? Am I leading my child well? Does my son feel safe with me? Does he know how deeply he's loved? I share the lessons fatherhood has taught me, the fears that come with watching your child grow up, and why I believe every birthday should be more than a celebration—it should be a yearly reflection on the kind of father we're becoming. I also end the episode with a heartfelt letter to my son that I hope he'll hear one day when he's older. Whether your child is seven months old, seven years old, or already grown, this conversation is a reminder that our greatest legacy isn't perfection—it's presence. If this episode resonates with you, share it with another dad who needs to hear it. And if you're enjoying **That Dope Dad**, please follow the show and leave a rating and review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Your support helps us reach more fathers and build a stronger community of intentional dads. Because our kids won't remember everything we gave them—but they'll always remember whether we were there. Follow Us: IG: https://www.instagram.com/thatdopedad\_podcast/ HOST: https://www.instagram.com/michael\_hedgecock/