I'm not a boy, I'm a man! I wake up on time every morning, make my own bed, and pick my own clothes. I brush my teeth, shower, and comb my hair. I eat a good breakfast and take my daily vitamins. I clean the dishes, take out the trash, and do my own laundry. I'm not a boy, I'm a man! Am I not?
I am strong and lift heavy things. I open the door and let her go first. I work. I budget, do my taxes, and pay my bills. I fix things and build things. I change light bulbs and put up bookshelves. I take bicycles apart and put them back together. I know who to call for the things I can't do, and I know how to get to places I haven't been. I know how to survive. I'm not a boy, I'm a man! Am I not?
I do more than survive. I take responsibility for more than myself. I carry stress and know how to thrive under it. I commit and stick to my commitments. I say no when it matters and yes when it matters more. I have values—unwavering values. Goals—unshakeable goals. I am with a woman, and she is with me. And I understand that I don't understand. I'm not a boy, I'm a man. Am I not?
Yes, but...boys will be boys. And I too am boyish. I run around and play outside, roll around in the grass, and climb the trees. I game and like to trade cards. I watch children's animations and enjoy them. I make fart jokes and don't understand when they're inappropriate. I'm naughty too. I play pranks and break rules. I do things I shouldn't because I can't help but have some fun.
So see: I may be a man, but I'm a boy too. And I always will be. And I always want to be. For being a man is important. But being a boy is so much fun.
Let us never stop having fun!
"The great man is he who does not lose his child's heart."
- Mencius