A few years ago I heard a speaker describe how he writes a letter to each of his kids every Father's Day. A reflection of who he saw them becoming over the past year. I thought it was one of the most intentional things I'd ever heard a father do.

So I tried it. I wrote from the heart. I got a little emotional putting it together.

Then Father's Day morning arrived and I looked at my audience. A four year old, a two year old, and a baby. The four year old lasted about ninety seconds. The two year old was never in. I stopped reading to a room that had already moved on and sat there in the quiet feeling something I hadn't expected.

That moment sent me back to the drawing board. And what came out of it was the Father's Day Awards: printed invitations delivered weeks in advance, a living room set up with their favourite snacks, Oscar music playing when they walked in, a slideshow on the TV, and award certificates decorated with unicorns and dinosaurs and sports. Each child nominated alongside their favourite stuffed animals. Each one called up to the stage to receive their award while I gave a short, honest, specific speech about who I had watched them become that year.

They were locked in. They were proud. I went to bed that night feeling more fulfilled as a father than I had in a long time. Not because I got something. Because I gave something that actually landed.

Father's Day has quietly become a day about dads. The sleep in, the breakfast in bed, the round of golf. And there's nothing wrong with being appreciated. But the days our kids remember are rarely the days we rested. They're the days we made them feel seen.

What's the one word you'd use to describe each of your kids this year? And have you told them?

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