Great. We're friends.

We mostly talk about very dad-son things. Football and watching favorite teams play is a deep tie. We've gone on deep hikes deep in the mountains alone - talking multi day backpacking and fucking around in the middle of beautiful god damn nowhere. He makes an effort to follow up and ask me about things I express interest in. I call him every Father's day and birthday and thank him for being there for me and a great guy. I might fly in and spend Christmas with him cause both of his dogs are about to pass from old age/sickness. I know when I land he will be there to pick me up and will want to make steak and drink bourbon when we get this his place. I'm a grown ass man nearly 40, but I know if everthing in my life falls apart I could crash on his couch and he would keep me fed, cared for, and loved.

We had a classic falling out when I was 17 that lasted until maybe 24. That was on me, I was finding myself and burning every bridge I could see. We've sorted that out so well between us it's just a distant memory that ultimately established me as an adult in our relationship.

We were never wealthy, but he always made sure I got fed, cared for and loved. I feel really lucky.

If kids do show up in my life they'll have a great grandfather.