I had a few interesting interactions this weekend and I want to write through my thoughts on it.

While getting ready for work on Saturday, I wanted to wear something a little fun. Something to put me in a good mood. Also, something warm because it is miserable here in upstate New York. I chose a half zip sweatshirt with Pikachu on the chest. A little icon, about the size of a pocket square if this was a button up shirt. I thought I looked nice, with a little bit of silliness. Also my son is getting into Pokémon again and this was a way to bond despite being apart.

What I didn’t expect was so many other people to react to it. Multiple people throughout the day told me how much they liked my shirt. A silly little yellow pocket monster head was far more well received than anything I’ve worn in a long time. Then I would explain I was wearing it for my son and the reactions increased even more. This led to some fun talks with other parents about things that we love because our kids love it.

I think it had something to do with the subtlety. One person even said it took hours before they noticed Pikachu on the shirt. In other situations I’ve worn giant loud comic book themed t-shirts and hoodies and there is no reaction. It’s similar to what so many other people are wearing. But a nice top with an Easter egg of something geeky seems to be more unique, and reactions confirm that.

This tears me up a bit because I can hear my dad’s voice over decades telling me that I can’t wear super hero shirts every day and be taken seriously. How dare he try to make me something else! Those shirts are what is me. Then a scenario like this weekend happens and I have to call him up humbled. Maybe there’s some way I can be an adult and a man-child, but responsibly so. A fine like to walk, to be sure, but I can conquer fine lines as I begin to conquer my threads.