From Lester Holt, TODAY Anchor
As far as I'm concerned, last Thursday was Father's Day. I played hooky from work, picked up my youngest son from his last day of school and hopped the subway to a Yankees game.
As we sat there watching the game it dawned on me that these moments will soon be fewer and farther between. In another year, like his big brother, he'll be off to college and my wife and I will officially be empty-nesters. When they were babies people used to warn us about "how fast they grow up." Back then, 18 years seemed like forever, but you know what? Those people were right. It not only goes fast. It goes too fast.
Thankfully I realized very early that fatherhood isn't something to be celebrated on one day, but on every day. It's about moments. A day at the ball game. A conversation about something bugging them at school. Walking the dog together. Or even having them destroy me in a trash-talking filled video game competition. (Darn those young reflexes!)
I told some newly expected fathers who were on our program Saturday that "being a dad is the best role or job they will ever have," and I meant every word of it. And if they are as lucky as I am, the relationship they build with their children will only grow right up to and through those empty nest days that right now may seem so far away.
I'll go home after the broadcast this morning and like a lot of dads enjoy a special brunch in my honor. But I will also be looking forward to the next Father's Day which on my calendar -- is tomorrow.