It’s still surreal when I think about being someone’s dad. It’s tremendously important. The title alone holds the weight of creating and shaping a life. My actions my attitude my outward personality gets soaked up by this little person like a sponge. My little 15-month-old notices every detail already and she reflects what she sees with perfection. That reflection inspires me to strive to be my best so that she will be her best. It’s this symbiotic relationship that was so unexpected. Just as much as I’m getting to shape her life she is shaping mine. As a dad, you transform. You make adjustments to yourself, you look at the world differently and you base your decisions selflessly- the fantastic gift you get in return is that you do in fact become a better version of yourself. So, thank you my darling. Thank you for being my daughter, for choosing to be with us. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me.

And- thank you to my dad. Thank you for being my guide, for showing me how to be a man and a good father. I get it now. I am starting to understand the responsibility and the strength it takes to create a family. I know I have a lot more to learn and I’m thankful I have you to help me. I won’t take this for granted.