There’s something incredibly heartwarming about hearing a parent talk about their child, especially when that child faces unique challenges. Al Roker, the beloved weatherman, recently opened up about raising his son Nicholas, who has special needs. At 64, Al shares Nicholas with his wife, Deborah Roberts, and he’s quick to admit that it hasn’t always been easy—but love and admiration for his son never waver.

In a candid interview with Guideposts magazine, Al gets real about the ups and downs of parenting. “Do I get frustrated with my son sometimes? You bet,” he says with a chuckle. “But then I think about my own dad and how patient and understanding he was. My wife, Deborah, reminds me that I need to show Nicholas not just that I love him, but that I truly like him as a person. And let me tell you, I admire him more than words can express.”

Meeting the Challenges Head-On

Al and Deborah noticed that Nicholas was different from the start. Born in 2002, their son faced challenges right away. “From day one, we knew Nick would have a different set of hurdles to overcome,” Al recalls. “He wasn’t developing at the same pace as other kids. He wasn’t gripping our fingers tightly, didn’t always meet our gaze, and wasn’t crawling as quickly as he should. By the time he was three, he barely talked and struggled to walk.” But once Nicholas received the right support, his parents witnessed incredible progress.

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A Son Who Inspires

Today, Nicholas is thriving. “Nick’s a hard worker with an incredible sense of humor,” Al says proudly. “He’s outgoing, a great swimmer, and developing a solid basketball shot from the top of the key. He even takes chess lessons twice a week and does pretty well. But what really melts my heart is how affectionate he is—just like his grandfather—and how full of love he is.”

Hey, @trevornoah you have a big fan in @nickroker155 He is reading #bornacrime for school and can’t put it down. It’s the first school reading assignment he’s really enjoying
A post shared by Al Roker (@alroker) on Nov 25, 2018 at 5:47am PST

Helping Others and Finding Joy

Nicholas isn’t just excelling personally—he’s also making a difference in the lives of others. “Last year, Nick went on a mission trip to Haiti with his church group,” Al shares. “He helped out at an orphanage, reading to the kids, playing games with them, and doing chores. When we picked him up at the airport, the first thing he said was, ‘I can’t wait to go back.’” This experience has shown Al and Deborah just how far their son has come.

Happy #Easter from @debrobertsabc @nickroker155 and yours truly. Missing @cleilapatra and @ouichefcourtney
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A post shared by Al Roker (@alroker) on Apr 21, 2019 at 9:41am PDT

“People often tell me, ‘You must be so proud of your son,’” Al says. “And you know what? I am. More than they’ll ever know. The obstacles Nick has faced are ones that might have stopped many others in their tracks. But not Nick. Despite the challenges he was born with, he’s never let them define him.”

Al adds, “Experts can talk all day about limitations, but Nick never got that memo. I can’t take credit for who Nick is or who he’ll become, but I’m grateful every day for the incredible person he’s growing into.”

It’s truly inspiring to see the deep bond between Al and Nicholas, and it’s a testament to the power of love, patience, and perseverance.