When my boys were very young, I took them to a dolphin show at the zoo. When the first dolphin jumped and their little faces lit up with wonder, I started weeping.

There are just some moments when it hits you, you know? Like: You’re a dad. You’re doing dad-ly things.

This week I’m taking my older son on his first round of college visits. It’s not quite a dolphin show . . . but, man, is it close. So far I’m holding it together, but only because there’s no splash zone to blame for a wet face.