Troy and I both got our next belts tonight, my orange and his yellow. Master Richie called us up at the same time, so we could get our belts together, which was really cool. I’m so glad that I got to share that moment with my son. Over the last week, I’ve had several people make a comment about how special it is that my son and I are getting to do this together. I guess I hadn’t really thought about that when I decided to sign up. I was doing it to fulfill my dream, but I didn’t think about how my son might view it or even if he wanted me to do it with him. Based on how he’s reacted, I’d say he’s more than okay with it. Maybe he actually enjoys doing it with someone else and having someone interested in what he’s into.
One day, I was coming into the studio for my class after my son’s class was ending. My son hadn’t gone to class that day, but one of the other kids in his class asked his dad why he wasn’t taking taekwondo like I was. His dad made up excuses about being out of shape and preferring more moderate exercise, but I honestly think that other kid would have found it cool to have his dad doing taekwondo like he was. And it got me to thinking that maybe that’s how my son feels. Maybe he’s proud to have a dad that’s out there, putting in the reps, busting heads, and breaking boards.
I don’t know. But for now, I love hearing our names called together. I love being able to practice with him and talk martial arts with him. And I even love his trash talking about how he’s a higher rank than me…for now.
