A Belated Father's Day Tribute

It's officially Tuesday here on Guam already, so I'm a bit late, but I haven't quite had it in me to write a whole post until now. Due to a rather unfortunate kitchen accident, the daddy's day took a sudden turn and ended up being all about me. If nothing else, he was able to flex his fathering muscles, loving on our babe while I received half a dozen stitches in the emergency room. I'll tell you that harrowing tale tomorrow, but I'm determined to make at least one thing about my darling husband!

This weekend has been but one among many reminders of what a good choice I made when I made that man my husband. We were an unlikely pair, but I'm so thankful that we ended up together because I cannot imagine a better father for Annabelle.

Since the moment we learned that she would be joining our family, her daddy has taken his role very seriously. He was actively involved in the preparations for Annabelle's birth, helping me with relaxation techniques and reading up to make sure he understood everything on the birth plan so that he could be an informed advocate. He was so interested in the nursery preparations that we found ourselves debating color choices.

Finally, the day of Annabelle's birth came and the daddy was the most wonderful support person I could have dreamed of. He was my doula-husband. Annabelle arrived and I will never forget watching him walk around with his newly born and freshly swaddled bundle. In the early days, he was constantly snuggling, swaddling, rocking, and staring, so comfortable and content in his new role. He even started us on our EC journey by "catching" the first pee when I was too drowsy to think about it.

Ten days into our girl's life, the daddy had to leave the country but he was constantly in touch, always eager to hear the latest with his girl. Despite the fact that he saw her on Skype daily, he wanted to have photos emailed to him at work. I took care to send one each day, until one night when he informed me, "You know, you can attach five or six." And so from then on, he got five or six, and he regularly flipped through them all and showed them off. When he returned home eight months later, he and Annabelle wasted no time in reconnecting. 

Every afternoon and evening, when the daddy pulls into the garage from work, Annabelle's eyes light up. She hears the door open, looks at me, and starts excitedly signing "dad!" Regardless of what we're in the middle of doing, she usually drops everything to rush to the door and greet him with her signature high pitched, "hi!" She is quite sure of his love for her and their bond is a thing of beauty. I could not ask for a better partner in parenting, or a better father for my daughter. I learn from and am inspired by him daily. Three cheers for Annabelle's Daddy!