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It’s quite amazing to have another dad in my life to appreciate this Father’s Day.

Those two above (Gradon and his son, Ethan) have brought a ton of joy into my life since I met Gradon in 2008, though I haven’t spent nearly enough time with Ethan (who I met in ‘09, once Gradon and I knew we were serious about one another.)

The time I have spent?

Awesome.

Ethan is the kind of kid who looks you straight in the eye, smiles, and has perfect manners — when he’s not totally making fun of you, that is, in which case he’s just hilarious.

I was struck the first time I met him with how open and friendly he was with me, right off the bat, which I absolutely credit to having parents who taught him to like and respect people.

And since one of those parents is the man I love, I get to reap the benefits.

Gradon is a fantastic dad.

He plays, he laughs, he gives great advice, he sets things straight when they need setting straight, and — more importantly than anything else — he never lets his son go a single visit without letting him know that Ethan is the best thing in his life.

Being a divorced parent isn’t easy, especially when school arrangements mean that you see your little person at the ends of weeks, rather than all week long. I know Gradon misses him terribly when they’re not together.

But it says a lot that he packs more than a week’s worth of love into the days he has.

So here’s to the other dad in my life on Father’s Day.

Thanks for being the kind of guy I’d like to share kids with someday — and will.

Love you!