My son said I was his hero today

We were at the park and some older kid was being mean to a smaller kid. My son went over and told him to stop, stood up for the little kid even though the bully was bigger. When we left the park he said dad I did what you always tell me and I felt like a real hero. Those 7 words hit me harder than I expected. Trying not to be sappy about it but I've been thinking about it all day.