Father’s Day is coming up soon, and I want to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the two fathers in my life: my dad and my son’s dad. And to yours, too!
To our dads:
… who were happy to have a daughter, but weren’t quite sure how to handle it.
… who were probably afraid of breaking us the first time they held us in their arms
… who learned how to brush our hair, braid it, and make buns
… who dressed up dolls or watched princess movies they weren’t interested in, just to make us happy
… who bought us trucks and little cars, too
… who felt a little awkward when we got our first period
… who were filled with pride, joy, nostalgia, and above all, a strong protective instinct when we got our first boyfriend
… and who didn’t quite know what to say when we went through our first heartbreak
… who thought we looked so beautiful in our prom dresses
… who weren’t sure they wanted to see us leave the family nest
… who worried about us throughout our pregnancy
… who bit their nails during the delivery
… who were so moved to meet their grandchildren
… who felt like they were 20 again when they played with them
… and whom I’m so proud of!
To our loved ones
… who made us moms—the most wonderful role of our lives
… who couldn’t wait to feel the baby move beneath their fingers
… who had that look of surprise and tenderness when it happened
… who sometimes wished they could take our place during the pregnancy, just to lighten our load a little
… who kept an eye on what we ate and what we did
… who were anxious before the birth
… who were afraid of being useless, but whom we couldn’t have done without throughout the entire labor
… who shed tears at the sight of their little baby
… who held the baby gently, finding it hard to believe they were now dads
… who were a little clumsy at first
… who took over when we couldn’t take it anymore during those endless nights
… who went back to work with heavy hearts
… who texted us to see how things were going or to ask for a photo
… who look so sexy in a baby carrier!
… who quickly became the best dads in the world
To all the dads out there, never underestimate how important you are to your wives and children. We’ve learned to define ourselves through your eyes; you give us confidence. The way you look at our children is so reassuring. You are our rocks!