<figure><img src="https://i.insider.com/6ab4007deb72254112679abd?format=jpeg" height="1500" width="2000" alt="Split view of a person in glasses beside a plated fine-dining dish with seafood, green vegetable, and sauce."><figcaption>The author spent $900 on a fine-dining experience with his adult son.<p class="copyright">Courtesy of Kimanzi Constable</p></figcaption></figure><ul class="summary-list"><li>My son was born when I was 19, and we grew up together.</li><li>I've tried to show him what's possible if he's willing to work for it.</li><li>I recently took him to a Michelin-star restaurant to show him the life he can have if he succeeds.</li></ul><p>My <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/my-youngest-13-eldest-26-i-raised-them-differently-2024-12">first child</a> was born a few days after I turned 19. Looking into his eyes as I held him, I told myself I wanted to give him a better life than I had.</p><p>I was a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/mother-brother-terminal-cancer-grief-2025-3">homeless teenager</a>, and I had to raise myself. I had to figure everything out and start my adult life from desperation and struggle.</p><p>I wasn't going to let my son, Michael, experience the same things. I promised myself I would show him a better life and what's possible through my actions.</p><p>That's why I recently took my adult son to a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trying-ai-fine-dining-tasting-menu-venhue-new-york-2024-9">fine-dining experience</a> in Bangkok.</p><h2 id="0dde8f88-58ff-459d-9301-581ec2328447" data-toc-id="0dde8f88-58ff-459d-9301-581ec2328447"><strong>We grew up together, and he got to see my growth</strong></h2><p>By the time he was born, I had started my first business, and it grew quickly. As Michael grew up, he saw the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/middle-school-teacher-believed-dream-helped-my-career-2025-3">small businesses</a> I started and came to work with me.</p><p>My son was curious and asked questions about entrepreneurship, money, and what it means to live a good life. We had great conversations on father-son workdays.</p><p>His mother and I eventually got divorced. I worried it would put emotional distance between us and undo the lessons I was teaching him, but that wasn't the case. We kept building our relationship after the divorce.</p><p>Michael <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/who-am-i-outside-dad-son-graduates-high-school-2026-6">graduated from high school</a>, went to college, and got an adult job. I was glad to see him applying what I taught him and putting in the work to build his life.</p><h2 id="b2ed7de1-9a07-451c-886e-e61f588d45e7" data-toc-id="b2ed7de1-9a07-451c-886e-e61f588d45e7"><strong>I moved outside the US when I became an empty nester</strong></h2><p>After years of traveling and living in a dozen countries, I settled in <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/retire-early-moved-family-to-thailand-2025-5">Bangkok, Thailand</a>.</p><p>My son recently came to visit me in Thailand, and I wanted to remind him about the conversations we've had about what's possible.</p><p>Michael came to see his old man, and I took him around the city. I showed him all the touristy things in Bangkok, and he was excited to be on vacation from his job.</p><h2 id="ad9fc114-bf5d-43d5-b20a-bf6cd16a8f5d" data-toc-id="ad9fc114-bf5d-43d5-b20a-bf6cd16a8f5d"><strong>I took him to a Michelin-star restaurant</strong></h2><p>I've had many fun experiences <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/digital-nomad-lessons-learned-tips-things-to-know-2022-11">traveling to 89 countries</a> and have eaten delicious food in many places, but I've never eaten at a Michelin-star restaurant.</p><p>Michael and I went to Sühring, where I paid $900 for this three-Michelin-star fine-dining experience.</p><p>The service, the absolutely delicious food, and the time with my oldest child, enjoying the finer things in life, are something I'll never forget.</p><p>We took our time during the 3.5-hour meal. We savored each course and continued our lifelong conversation about goals, dreams, working hard, and what's possible if you're willing to take action.</p><p>But the meal was the real conversation: Each course's creativity used taste, texture, presentation, and flavor to create a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-restaurants-in-world-frequent-traveler-recommendations-2025">unique eating experience</a>. </p><p>I got to try German Whisky for the first time. It was expensive, but sipping it made me feel bougie.</p><p>Each course and the service gave us an experience we normally don't get. I sat there motivated to work even harder so I could have more experiences like this. I shared that with my son.</p><h2 id="6d22d3e4-4388-42bc-870f-ae7f358f5367" data-toc-id="6d22d3e4-4388-42bc-870f-ae7f358f5367"><strong>Even though it was expensive, it was worth every penny to show him the life he can achieve</strong></h2><p>I got to<strong> </strong>show Micahel he can experience the finer things in life if he's willing to work for them. It made the price worth it.</p><p>My son saw firsthand that my <a target="_blank" href="https://92ff0d71.streak-link.com/DCM1e3L9fTVAbdjmywy50UDz/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.businessinsider.com%2Fmillionaire-friends-and-family-kept-asking-for-money-2025-12">business's success</a> could let me spend $900 on a meal without thinking about the cost.</p><p>I didn't get these kinds of experiences growing up, and it affected my mindset negatively. I started my adult life with so many limiting beliefs because I didn't have anyone to show me otherwise.</p><p>Thank goodness for therapy, which helped me overcome my past trauma and learn to see what's possible for my life.</p><p>I'm grateful for this Michelin-star<strong> </strong>experience, despite the price. My son left Thailand with a vivid life lesson in the best way possible. I feel I'm doing my part as a father to raise a strong young man.</p><div class="read-original">Read the original article on <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/dad-took-son-michelin-star-dinner-success-2026-9">Business Insider</a></div>
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