In the past, I journeyed to the Home of Superman alone. No one shared my dedication enough to brave the hot weather and crowds of bizarre cosplayers with me until I met Amanda. Then, it was just the two of us on our little pilgrimage to a town where - once a year - comic book heroes come to life.

But now, I have another companion.

Callum, our son, joined us on our adventure this year, braving the heat to visit the Super Museum, to witness the superhero parade and to meet the Man of Steel himself.

Just as Disney employs an official Mickey Mouse to greet visitors at the Magic Kingdom, Metropolis has its very own Superman. Josh Boultinghouse, a former Universal Studios actor, dons the tights every year to meet children, fans and men-who-haven't-quite-grown-up-just-yet like me.

I don't know much about his life outside Metropolis (I think he lives in Texas), but on that weekend in June, Josh IS Superman. Sure he doesn't have a rope-and-pulley system or CGI graphics to make him fly, but his mannerisms and demeanor reflect everything about Krypton's Last Son. His smile, his attitude, everything personifies the Big Guy.