so just to inspire y& #39;all a bit about a return to normality....

my 15yo& #39;s online friend group loves anime, and he& #39;s decided they& #39;re going to Japan together to hang out in Shibuya. so I am like yeah ok son.

then he& #39;s literally choosing flights - @lufthansa win on price and inflight wifi.

me - yeah i don& #39;t think you can all fly alone at the age. he pulls up a tab - "says we can, dad, i checked, no parental guardian required"

he& #39;s priced flights for 8 of them, then he starts showing me hotel costs, asking me how much food will cost.

"how long are you going for?"

"two weeks, next August"

me - "well... you& #39;re eating nothing but ramen noodles, you can probably keep the grocery bill down"

it& #39;s honestly just been delightful. he& #39;s having fun, taking it seriously enough, but not too seriously, he& #39;s taking his friends on an imaginative journey. every detail.

i told him he might have to wait til he& #39;s 17, but his whole approach is a breath of fresh air in a tough year.

"you know you won& #39;t be able to afford sushi, son"

"just one time dad, that& #39;s going to be a special meal, I& #39;m pricing it up"....

optimism, hope, humour, friendship, and leadership in 2020. i am definitely here for it.