Jason, and here’s the thing, Jason said, his voice taking on a weight Travis had rarely heard before. You’re not just her uncle, Travis. You’re part of her foundation. You’re one of the people she’s going to measure other men against for the rest of her life. Travis felt his eyes starting to burn. I never thought about it like that.
I know you didn’t. That’s what makes you good at it. You’re not trying to be anything other than yourself with her. And yourself happens to be exactly what she needs. What does she need? Jason’s expression softened. She needs someone who thinks she’s hilarious when she sticks her tongue out during a podcast. She needs someone who will get down on her level and be silly right back.
She needs someone who shows her that men can be safe and fun and completely devoted to the people they love. Travis wiped at his eyes, feeling overwhelmed by the realization of how much responsibility he’d been carrying without knowing it. I don’t want to mess this up. You won’t. You know why? Because you’re not trying to be anyone else.
You’re being Uncle Travis, and that’s exactly what she needs you to be. They sat in silence for a moment, both processing the weight of the conversation. Can I tell you something? Jason asked. Something I’ve been thinking about for a while. Travis nodded. When you and Taylor got engaged, Kylie and I talked about what it would mean for the kids.
Not just Wyatt, but all the girls. And we realized that they’re going to grow up watching their Uncle Travis love their Aunt Taylor. Watching how you treat her. How you prioritize family. Travis felt his chest tighten. They’re going to see what a good marriage looks like through you, too. They’re going to understand that real men are gentle and silly and completely devoted to their families.
That’s not just uncle stuff, Travis. That’s modeling what they should expect from the men in their lives. That’s a lot of pressure. It’s not pressure. It’s privilege. Jason’s voice was firm. You get to be one of the people who help shape how those little girls see the world.
And based on how Wyatt reacts to you, you’re doing an incredible job. Travis’s phone buzzed with a FaceTime call. Taylor’s name appeared on the screen and he quickly wiped his eyes before answering. Hey. Babe, he said, trying to sound normal. Hi. Oh my god, Travis. Have you seen the reaction to that Wyatt clip? My timeline is full of people melting over your dad energy.
Taylor’s face was bright with excitement. Wait, are you okay? You look emotional. Jason leaned into the frame. I was just telling him what an amazing uncle he is. Oh. Taylor’s expression immediately softened. Oh, Travis. You really are. Watching you with her in that video, it made me so happy. Really? Really.
The way you didn’t even hesitate to match her energy. The way you made her feel like the funniest person in the world for sticking her tongue out. That’s exactly the kind of dad energy that made me fall in love with you even more. Travis felt his heart completely overflow. I love you. I love you, too. Both of you.
Taylor’s smile was radiant through the screen. Now stop crying and go read the comments. People are absolutely losing their minds over how good you are with kids. After they hung up, Jason pulled up the TikTok clip one more time. You know what the best part is? Jason said. What? She wasn’t performing for the camera. That was just Wyatt being completely herself around you.
And you responding with pure instinct. That’s why it’s going viral. People recognize real love when they see it. Travis watched himself making ridiculous faces at his niece, and felt something settle into place in his heart. I want to be the best uncle I can be. You already are, and you’re going to be an incredible father. How do you know? Jason pointed at the screen where the video was playing again.
Because that little girl trusts you enough to be completely goofy around you. And trust like that, it’s not something you can fake. It’s something you earn by being exactly who you are consistently over time. Travis looked at his phone where notifications were still pouring in. Comments, shares, mentions. But one comment caught his eye, posted just minutes ago from Taylor’s verified account.
Can’t wait for our kids to have Uncle Travis energy two hearts. Travis showed the comment to Jason who started grinning. Did Taylor just soft launch baby plans on TikTok? I think she just announced that she’s already thinking about what kind of dad I’m going to be. Good. Because whether you realize it or not, that little girl has been your practice round.
And you’re acing As Jason prepared to drive back to Philadelphia, he paused at the door. Travis, can I say one more thing? Always. That viral moment today, it’s going to be one of those family memories we talk about forever. But it’s also going to be something Wyatt remembers about you when she’s older.
She’s going to remember that her Uncle Travis always saw her, always played with her, always made her feel important. Travis felt tears threatening again. That means everything to me. It should. Because you’re not just practicing to be a father, Travis. You’re already being one of the most important men in that little girl’s life.
And when you have kids with Taylor, Wyatt’s going to help them understand what it means to be part of this family. After Jason left, Travis sat in his quiet house, scrolling through the endless stream of reactions to their viral moment. But instead of reading comments, he found himself thinking about Wyatt’s laugh. The way she’d immediately known he’d play along with her silly moment.
The trust in her eyes when she looked at him. He thought about Taylor’s comment about their future kids, about the family they built together, about the foundation Jason said he was helping to create for Wyatt. Travis opened TikTok and typed a simple comment on their viral video. Being Wyatt’s uncle is the best job I’ve ever had.
Can’t wait to embarrass my own kids this much someday face with tears of joy red heart. The comment got 15,000 likes in 10 minutes. But more importantly, 20 minutes later his phone buzzed with a text from Jason. Wyatt saw your comment. She wants you to know that you’re her favorite uncle and she can’t wait to teach her babies how to stick their tongues out properly.
