I can’t promise you I won’t swear when I drive. Or that I will always follow the speed limit. I can’t promise you I won’t eat with my hands, or make a mess on my shirt at almost every meal. I can’t promise you that I won’t embarrass you with my bad dad jokes, or twisted sense of humour. I can’t promise you I won’t break into song and dance in the middle of a walmart, or spin and dip you at the mall. I can’t promise I won’t say things that may upset you, or trip up on my words when I get little nervous. I can’t promise you I will dress my age or even my gender. I can’t promise I won’t make faces at you across the dinner table, or climb across to give you a kiss. I can’t promise I won’t trip on my own two feet at a family dinner or say the wrong thing to your dad. I can’t promise I’ll always have the answers or that I’ll be able to fix everything. I can’t promise I won’t make fun of your choice in romcoms, or secretly enjoy them.

But I can promise you I will be your home. I promise I will be the home to all your secrets. Your favourite hiding place. I will always love you, through your tears, laughter and silence. I promise to pull you into my arms when it’s just a little too cold. I will rub your back after a hard day. I promise I will listen to the same story about Stacy from the office, no matter how many times you’ve told me or about the assignment you are still working on. I will keep your heart warm, and your smile often. I will do everything to show you that despite everything I can’t promise - I will always follow through on what I can.