This morning, I was woken up by my little girl, holding a craft she made for me in honour of Father’s Day. It was my first Father’s Day tie and is now my favourite tie.
While I love the tie, I think it might be some kind of time machine. Because, from the moment she handed it to me, I found myself reflecting – at times rather emotionally – on my two years as a father.
At one point, while we were out running a few errands, I recalled the early days immediately after Pea was born. I remembered the frustration of Pea’s first two days, as we struggled to learn the ropes while my wife recovered in the hospital. I remembered thinking that I would never get the hang of changing her diapers or bathing, but here we are – with a relatively clean child.
Later, while we were at my parents house for dinner, I put Pea down for a nap on my parents bed. I stayed in the room to make sure she didn’t tumble off the bed, and watched the Brazil-Ivory Coast match on TV (muted, of course).
Truth be told, I spent more time staring at my little girl as she slept on the bed than I did watching the match. I considered how big she has gotten in such a short period of time and how much I miss the days of her sleeping silently on my bare chest.
As we sat for dinner, I looked at my own Dad and wondered if I would ever make this parenting thing seem as easy as he has done. Will I be anywhere near as inspiring and reliable as he has been for me? Will Pea one day look at me and thank God I am her Dad, like I do with my own father?
On our way home, Pea practiced her counting in the car. As she reached eleven, I thought back to when we could barely tell the difference between gassiness and hunger. Now, Pea is able to tell us which is which.
Being Pea’s Dad is the single greatest thing that has ever happened to me, and now I have a tie to prove it.
I hope you all had a great Father’s Day. I know I did!
Thanks gang!
Cutest post ever! Having kids means being awe-struck forever. Thanks for capturing that wonder in your post. btw, it was great to meet you at Urban Blog Fest!
such a great post Shawn…happy fathers day!!
Oh Dear, I knew this would be a tear jerker!
Shawn, I am so happy to know a man like you. I have a feeling your daughter will thank God that you are her Father.
You wear that tie well!
Tammy ( a fellow parent who loves watching her kids sleep too! )
I look at my dad and wonder the same –
i think for the most part if you think you have a great dad you tend to want to be just like him if not better. Sounds to be like you’re on that path sir.
I cannot believe how quickly time has passed. I am glad you had a great day and I don’t doubt for a second that Pea will be grateful that you, of all the men in the world, are her daddy.
Shawno that is very sweet! I can definitely tell you that you are an amazing father and Pea already looks at you and thanks God for you being her daddy. Seeing her face light up when you walk into the room is truly heart warming! Cherish these moments cause when she turns 16 you will become the dorky dad that embarrasses her!
Amazing post Shawn.
Nice to hear your perspective on Fathers Day.
It’s bittersweet how quickly our children grow up.
Glad you had a great day!