You're a "Dad".

This past June, I wrote Dan a letter. 

It was Father's Day and I thought a letter and a book about this new adventure would be most fitting to celebrate a holiday that he had only purchased gifts for someone else. 

His Dad.  

I wanted him to know how I felt about this journey with him. I wanted him to know now, as his next Fathers Day would be celebrated in an even bigger way. 

Here was the letter I wrote to him.....

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You’re going to be a good one.

A Dad.

That’s going to be you.

Yep, no longer are you going to be simply defined by “son, friend, nephew, son-in-law or husband”.  You’re going to have a little person looking at you, believing you know everything...that you know why the sky is blue, that you know why people are mean sometimes and that you know how many exact miles the moon is away from our house.

You’ll all of the sudden know how to change the dirtiest of diapers, know how to make a fall off of a bike feel like “its no big deal” and know how to make the slowest runner feel like they are still a rockstar (just remember....they might be blessed with my unathletic abilities).

You’re entering a world of words, terms and brands that just a few months ago were so foreign...gone are the days of only knowing Abercrombie and Fitch and Banana Republic....you’ll be an expert on whether a Peg Perego stroller is more safe than the Baby Jogger...and whether Pampers or Huggies is better at holding in 3 pounds of pee.  You’re going to know how to clip fingernails that are thinner than a piece of paper and how to rock a baby to sleep so they are SURE to sleep through the night.  You’re going to be asking the other dads for advice....not necessarily whether they would recommend a Summit Pale Ale or the Sunset Wheat Beer, but where they got their new Dad backpack that holds 2 more bottles than yours.

But.....through all of that, you’re going to be such a great Dad because you love.

You will continue to love me and make room in your heart to love our little. 

You’ll wear your heart on the outside of your body even more than you ever have before.
You’ll still have cocktails.
You’ll still have a clean car.
You’ll even probably shop at Abercrombie and Fitch still.  (well, maybe while pushing a stroller)
You’ll still know the best ways to make me laugh.
You’ll still give good hugs.
You’ll still have guy weekends and golf afternoons.
You’ll just be a better one....an even better person.

Being a Dad won’t be the only thing that will define you.

But, I know it will make you a better person...a better human being in this big world....a stronger and more caring and more genuinely loving person than you already are today. 

Our journey is continuing......and I am SO glad that you’re going to be a Dad to this baby......I chose a great one.

Happy Fathers Day to you....the dad-to-be.

Love,

Julie

June 2011

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I also scoured the bookstores to find a book for him that wasn't titled, "What to Expect when you're Expecting".  

Today is your 35th Birthday, my love.  Happy Birthday to YOU!

Tomorrow will officially mark 3 months of you being called a "Dad".

One day, you will have streamers hanging from the chandelier, a cake with finger lick marks draped through the top and presents that have more tape plastered on them than is left on the roll. 

Cheers to another amazing year of you-being-you. 
Hugs and Kisses from me......and drooly lip smooches from your daughter.
We love you.