Lagom (adjective): not too much and not too little; just right

“Not too much, not too little. Just right…” He gently told his son.

Before an intricate structure of bolts, nails, and wires, he was carefully teaching his son how to fix the broken machine engine.

“Thanks, dad.” A warm grin bloomed on the young man’s face. “...For the mechanic things, but for all these years of being a great dad, too.”

His laugh was loud and clear. “Huh, look at you! Getting married is making you all mushy!”

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Fiddling with his engagement ring, his son blushed. “Okay… but you felt that way for Mom, didn’t you?”

Nostalgia surged forth. Cozy Christmas dinners, lighthearted walks outside, goofing off with the family dog… his wife was truly the backbone of the family before she passed away.

“Of course! I mean, who wouldn’t? And… You gotta treat her right, you know?”

Before his son could muster a reply, he patted the machine engine.

“Give her affection, but respect her boundaries. The principal is the same. Not too much, but not too little. And tell her you love her! You don’t know what I’d do to say those words to your mom again!”