Letter to my son.
The words you’d like him to find as he grows up.
A letter to my son: that’s where you put what you feel today and what you’d like him to know one day. A memory, a piece of advice, an “I’m proud of you”. You don’t need special words, your own are enough. And today you can also choose when he’ll read it: on his 18th birthday, at his graduation, or on an ordinary day that means something to the two of you.
Why write to him now
There are things we say every day, and others that seem to be waiting for the right moment. The trouble is, the right moment comes when you least expect it, and the words often aren’t ready.
Writing now means holding on to what you feel today: how his voice sounded when he was little, what he taught you without knowing it, what you hope for him. Today these things seem obvious. In ten years’ time they’ll be precious.
You don’t have to write it all now. Just begin.
How to write a letter to your son
Five simple tips, so you can start without overthinking it.
- Start with a memory. One clear scene is worth a thousand adjectives. “That morning at the seaside, when you saw the waves for the first time” already says it all.
- Talk about him, not just about you. Tell him what you see in him: the things he does, the questions he asks, the way he laughs.
- Use your own words. A simple, honest sentence goes further than you think.
- Don’t aim for perfect. You can come back to it, add to it, change it. A letter grows along with him.
- Think about when he’ll read it. At 18, at graduation, the day he becomes a dad: every moment calls for different words.
Where to begin: 6 opening lines
If the blank page stops you in your tracks, pick a line and keep going.
Short notes for your son
Sometimes a couple of lines are enough. Here are a few, for the moments that matter. Use them just as they are, or as a starting point.
For their birthday
- “Every year you grow a little taller. And every year, I grow a little prouder.”
- “Happy birthday. Never stop asking questions: it’s how you love the world.”
For their first day at school
- “Today you walk in on your own. But you take with you everything we’ve taught you.”
- “Be curious, be kind. You’ll learn the rest along the way.”
For their 18th birthday
- “From today, the choices are yours. I’ll be right here, cheering you on.”
- “Eighteen years ago you taught me what it means to love without conditions. Thank you.”
For their graduation
- “This achievement is all yours. I was just lucky enough to watch you get there.”
- “Remember: you’re so much more than a grade. But today, enjoy every minute.”
When he becomes a dad
- “Now you’ll understand why I used to look at you that way.”
- “There’s no manual. There’s love, and you have so much of it to give.”
For an ordinary day
- “No special reason. I just wanted to tell you how glad I am that you’re here.”
- “If you ever feel lost, read these words again: you’ve always been enough.”
A letter for his 18th birthday
Turning 18 is a threshold: from that day on, your son starts making his own choices. It’s the perfect moment to receive words written years before, when he couldn’t yet fully understand them.
Here’s an example to adapt to your own story. If you’re writing to a daughter, you’ll also find ideas and examples in the guide Letter to my daughter.
Dear Oliver,
when I wrote this letter you were seven, and you were building a tower of cushions in the living room. You told me it would reach all the way up to the sky. It didn’t, but you believed it would right up to the very last cushion.
Today you’re eighteen. I don’t know what kind of person you’ve become, but I hope you’ve held on to that: the courage to have a go even when you’re not sure.
You’ll get things wrong, like everyone does. You’ll change your mind, and that’s fine. Choose the people who let you be yourself, and hold on to them.
I’m proud of you. I already was that day, surrounded by cushions.
Dad
Not just words
A letter can be other things too. Sometimes what stays with us most isn’t written down.
- Your voice.A one-minute voice message, with the way only you say his name.
- A video.An ordinary evening in the kitchen, the two of you laughing.
- A photo.With a couple of lines about the story behind it.
- A family recipe.The one only you know how to make, explained step by step.
- A practical tip.How to change a tyre, how to say sorry, how to make Nan’s Sunday gravy.
- A song.The one you used to sing in the car, with a couple of lines about why it’s yours.
Make it arrive at the right moment
Writing a letter is the first step. The second is making sure it arrives when it matters, without you having to remember to hand it over. With Erabox, it takes just three steps.
Write or record
Text, voice, video, photos: put in whatever you like. You can come back to it whenever you want.
Choose who will receive it
Your son doesn’t need to sign up or download anything: he’ll receive a personal, secure link.
Choose the moment
His 18th birthday, his graduation, a date that means something only to the two of you.
Erabox keeps your words safe on servers in Switzerland and delivers them on exactly the day you chose, even many years from now.
A letter to your son: frequently asked questions
Can’t find your answer? Write to us via Help.
Other words, for other moments
The right words don’t have to be perfect.
They just have to arrive.
Write your letter today. You choose the day your son will read it.