The Jacob Situation

 Alright, we need to talk about this... 

For the past year, I've watched you being a good friend to Adelle's "boyfriend" Jacob. He would show up at our family night at the beach, to walk and talk about his immanent breakup, and his broken heartedness. You walked him through that sad season, and tried to be a neutral friend the whole time. He was "off limits" because of your circle of friends, and out of loyalty to everyone involved. But I was always asking you... "are you sure he doesn't like you for more than a friend?" I mean, you were watching sunsets together on the beach, and when I said to go for a short walk and be back in 30 minutes, you disappeared for a couple of hours, "oops." 

And then Adelle broke up with him, as 8th graders are prone to do, over text. Jacob was a wreck! He came over to your house and found encouragement in you as his best friend. You found it all to be so exhausting, but eventually... (and it would become obvious), you caught some mysterious feelings. 

The good news is, I actually like Jacob! He is a gentleman, and he's not afraid to carry on a conversation with me. He likes Michigan Football - and at one point he struck a "heisman pose" for Teresa! We started going to the football games and sitting with Jacob's parents. It all feels comfortable, and right. 

Then you and Jacob started hanging out like literally every night. Although you insist that you're taking things slow, it seems like warp speed. Suddenly the friend zone has morphed into something more. And you guys seem inseparable. "Dad, he's literally my best friend!" 

(I mean, what about... whatever.) 

And to Jacob, there's an old country song that says, "I loved her first."