Overcoming addiction is no easy feat, but for James Mulvaney of San Diego, California, his son Dylan gave him the strength he needed to fight.
But there’s another sweet reason behind the dad’s decades of sobriety! For the past 20 years, he’s kept himself busy in the kitchen making treats for anyone and everyone. It’s become such an important part of him that he’s now known to locals as “the cookie man.”
Dylan was just a baby when his dad gave up drugs and alcohol for good. James wanted to be a better father to his son, and he needed some kind of outlet to help him cope with his feelings and cravings.
His solution? He traded partying for baking – and enjoyed it so much that he began churning out hundreds of cookies! But he wasn’t looking to make a profit with his tasty recipe.
“He makes 500 of them a week, and he’s never sold any of them,” Dylan explained in a TikTok video. “He just gives them out to random strangers on the street or the beach.”
The cookies have even made their way across the country! Dylan is an actor, and his dad sends him off with a few batches of goodness every time he travels.
For James, nothing is more relaxing than molding cookie dough while he watches his favorite shows. It keeps him calm, in control, and, most importantly, sober. Plus, he loves his public persona!
“It’s been fun just being the cookie man,” James said. “You can surely be known for a lot of worse things.”
Congratulations, James, for making such a positive change! We know Dylan couldn’t be prouder of how you’ve turned your life around. We only wish we could sample your baked creations!
Learn more about the cookie man in the video below, and share this story to give hope to others facing their own battles.
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