By Durick Hayden | AFA Benefits Coordinator

I’m a dad! Specifically, I’m "Dad" to Jason, Chris and Timothy. My three sons mean the world to their mother and me. Sometimes, I wish I could go back to when they were small boys. Just for a little while! My wife Debbie says it’s just my inclination to want to be in control. She’s probably right.

Timmy, our youngest, was recently on two-week leave from Iraq. When it was time for his plane to arrive, we weren’t the only family there to greet returning soldiers.

One little boy announced loudly for all to hear, "That’s my daddy!" as his father came through the door.

Leaving the terminal, Debbie and I lagged behind the boys. I noticed that the three of them were walking abreast of each other as they moved through the door into the parking area. They had lined up from oldest to youngest, just as they did when they were little boys.

As I watched them, I realized I had seen this same scene played out many times before. My mind wandered back some 15 years. There they were walking along, Jason asking questions, Chris pondering the world around them and Timmy making them laugh with his little boy antics.

Thanks, Father. I may not be able to turn back time, but I can always return to those wonderful memories of my boys when they were young. Yeah, I’m a dad, and I’m proud of it!