14th letter from Mihai

Tue 13 May, 2025 Colmar, France

Dear Reader,

Just wanted to write you a short one this week.

I’m rubbing my hands with excitement—
the cherries are starting to ripen.

I don’t know about you, but I love fruit. I love trees. And when I get the chance to climb a tree and grab a snack at the same time, that’s a good day.

To me, it’s a sign: summer’s here.
The warm days. The energy.
The seeds we’ve planted in spring are catching root.

That’s how I feel about this letter too.

---

There’s one message I really want to pass along today. Stronger than anything else from my personal life.

It’s a call to community.
A call to protect, nurture, and lead it.

On Friday, I helped some close friends pack for their move.
Hard to say goodbye.
But it was also a moment to celebrate our time together.

Saturday we gathered—walks, games, food, new people, old stories.
Sunday I went on a bike ride with another good friend.

And all of that reminded me just how important this is.

---

If you’re reading this letter, you’re not just a follower.

You’re here to lead.
And part of that leadership is building your village.

The truth is, most of us don’t live near our families anymore.
We don’t have the rituals, the seasonal gatherings, the built-in support systems.

We have access to more people than ever before—and yet, it’s harder than ever to feel connected.

You’ve heard the line: it takes a village to raise a child.​
But I’d also say: it takes a village to stay sane.
To not lose yourself in the mess of modern life.

And if that village doesn’t exist around you?
You build it.

You don’t wait.
You lead.

---

Family leadership doesn’t mean controlling people.
It means showing up with love. With passion. With initiative.

If no one around you is organizing a gathering, be the one.
If no one’s inviting people out, start small.

One walk.
One picnic.
One hour with two or three families.

You don’t need more time.
You don’t need to wait for permission.

This is your permission.

Lead.

---

What we’re building here with The Rooted Dad is not a collection of readers.
It’s a community of men willing to lead with presence.
Willing to show up.
Willing to be real.

So if this spoke to you, do something with it.
Reach out to someone.
Organize something.
Start small.

And let me know how it goes.

---

Stay rooted,
​Mihai

Wake Up. Live Fully.

​

P.S. I’m aiming to finish the new book I’ve been working on—The Rooted Week: 7 Days to Build Your Rooted Family—by next Tuesday.

That’s my public commitment.
If you don’t hear from me before then, that’s what I’m working on.

I feel the worlds needs it and it’s time to share it. Time to let go of perfectionism or excuses.

Thanks for reading.
Thanks for being here.

I hope you’re enjoying this season.
And if you’re lucky enough to have a cherry tree nearby—climb it.
Snack from it. Share some cherries with your community.

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