One day, you’ll be old enough to browse the internet and find all the random musings your father has ever published for everyone to find. Be sure to check the dates on some of these, because I am certain my memory will start to fade as I tell you stories that may or may not align with the chronological order they happened in. Full disclosure – there is likely some content online that will embarrass you (no one said I was a great musician, I just enjoy it to no end – and good grief, my stints as a guest on podcasts never cease to entertain), but hopefully it will make for some quality conversations with your mom and myself as the years go on.

I constantly try to remember to take the time to be present with you in these early years – and though I should probably be sleeping the same time you are, I can’t help but take that time to contemplate about how else I can be making your lives better with my decisions (that is, of course, while helping your mother with the laundry and dishes). As you will quickly learn, some aspects of living are simply beyond our control with the hands we are dealt by our society – but I am relieved to be surrounded by so many friends and family who are discontent with the status quo and determined to help things improve by the time comes for you to venture out on your own as adults.

You have an incredible extended family (including some honorary aunts and uncles) to rely on, and my prayer is that you never take it for granted. Both sides of our family have an immense amount of love to share, and you have been showered with it in your early years – for which your mother and I will forever be grateful. As we prepare to welcome your baby brother into the world in a couple weeks, the weight of balancing work with home can be heavy at times – but our support system around us has been instrumental to help us in whatever way we need. All that to say, don’t hesitate to ask for help – no matter how heavy or light the burden may feel.

My thoughts are all over the place these days, but it seems vital to be sharing them in moments like this. I often let the chaos of life interrupt the frequency of my posts, and that seems to be okay with most of the folks who surround me. I can only hope that, with our time together, you will feel just as confident in sharing your thoughts and feelings in your own unique ways as you grow (even if they currently resemble emotional meltdowns typically reserved for your teenage years).

May our shared laughter, songs, and dances throughout the weeks continue to uplift your spirits and empower you to share your gifts with everyone we come to know in our lives. I hope that your mother and I continue to make you proud in building this family and life together, and that we remind each other to frequently take the time to appreciate the many blessings we have been given.

Love, Daddy.