Mike was seven when his father was killed in mysterious circumstances in Afghanistan. Eight years later, the family still hasnt recovered Mikes mom is overworked and overprotective his younger sister Mary feels no connection to the father she barely remembers and in his quest to be the man of the family, Mike knows hes missing out on everyday high school life.Then, out of the blue, Mike receives a letter from his father -- the first of a series Dad wrote in Afghanistan, just in case he didnt come home, meant to share some wisdom with his son on the eve of Mikes 16th birthday. As the letters come in, Mike revels in spending time with his dad again, and takes his encouragement to try new things -- to go out for the football team, and ask out the beautiful Isma.
