What It Feels Like to Be Proud of Yourself

No medals. No headlines. Just peace.

Dear Son,

For most of my life, I didn’t know what pride felt like.
Not real pride.

I faked confidence.
Chased approval.
Laughed off my pain and wore a mask.

But these days?
Pride looks a lot different.

It’s quiet.
It’s steady.
It’s doing the right thing when nobody’s watching.

It’s waking up and knowing:
“I built this life—one day at a time, one honest choice at a …