Ryder, a curious little boy with tousled hair and bright eyes, watched his dad, Neil, with awe. Neil, a skilled carpenter, was methodically laying out planks of wood, ready to begin their project. "Dad, can I help today?" Ryder asked eagerly, his small hands already reaching for a hammer.

"Of course, buddy," Neil replied with a smile, ruffling Ryder's hair. "Let's start by measuring the wood." Together, they stretched the tape measure across a plank, Neil guiding Ryder's hand to mark the spots with a pencil. "Just like this?" Ryder asked, his concentration intense.

Neil showed Ryder how to handle the saw, their hands moving in unison. "It's tougher than it looks," Ryder admitted, a bead of sweat forming on his brow. "It takes practice," Neil encouraged, his voice steady and reassuring. "But you're doing great."

Ryder hammered nails into place, his confidence growing with each precise strike. "Look, Dad! It's almost done!" he exclaimed, his eyes shining with pride. "We make a pretty good team," Neil agreed, nodding approvingly. "This is our masterpiece."

Ryder sat beside his dad on the grass, both gazing up at their creation. "I want to be just like you, Dad," Ryder said softly, his voice filled with admiration. "Being like me is about more than building," Neil replied, wrapping an arm around Ryder's shoulders. "It's about spending time with the ones you love and doing what makes you happy."

Ryder lay his head against his father's shoulder, a contented smile on his face. "Today was the best day ever," he murmured, his eyes closing as sleep began to take hold. "And there will be many more," Neil promised, watching the stars above.