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Ryan Lochte: 'I definitely want a family of my own'

Ryan Lochte may be actively using Tinder in Rio — "it is verified," he joked Friday on TODAY — but...
/ Source: TODAY

Ryan Lochte may be actively using Tinder in Rio — "it is verified," he joked Friday on TODAY — but the silver-haired swimmer has another life milestone in his sights: fatherhood.

"I definitely want a family of my own, and I love kids," Lochte said.

"There's no doubt in my mind that's the route I want to take."

RELATED: Ryan Lochte took over the TODAY Show Snapchat — and the result was magical

And this being Ryan Lochte — a man who sported a bedazzled grill in London — he doesn't want just any family, he wants "a family that's big."

The decision to start a family would sit well with Lochte's mom, Ileana.

"I told him, 'the day you quit swimming is the day you're going to start looking to settle down and have a family.' And give me more grandchildren!"

Ileana Lochte also keeps all of her son's Olympic medals so she can show his kids one day.

"I'm saving them for him to make sure he doesn't lose them on his way, and to make sure he'll be able to show his kids that hard work does pay off," she told TODAY.

So who inspired Lochte? None other than his teammate and sometimes-rival Michael Phelps.

The pair has been competing for 12 years, navigating countless challenges together, but Lochte says he's seen a noticeable change in his friend since he became a father to the very adorable Boomer.

Michael Phelps holds his son Boomer
USA's Michael Phelps holds his son Boomer after he won the Men's 200m Butterfly Final during the swimming event at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on August 9, 2016.MARTIN BUREAU / AFP - Getty Images

“Seeing the evolution of him...it’s pretty amazing," Lochte explained. "He’s definitely grown up a lot."

"There’s no doubt in my mind he’s going to be a great dad."

As for little Boomer, Lochte was full of praise for the boy.

"It's a cute baby!"

We couldn't agree more, Ryan!

Michael Phelps' wife and son
Michael Phelps' wife and son on teh TODAY show in Rio, August 12 2016Brandon Goodwin / TODAY