I Heart Dad

You should see the way Cameron looks at his Daddy.  From the very first week of his life, Cameron has looked up at his Daddy with his big eyes in total awe.  It is as if Cameron is hoping to some day be just like Daddy, his hero.  Cameron watches Daddy with such amazement and wonder in his eyes.  Cameron adores his Dad.

I remember the moment Dan became a Dad.  Sure, there was the time that I surprised him with my positive pee-on-a-stick and then ran to work five minutes after.  That would have been a shock for anybody, let alone someone who wasn’t expecting a pregnancy.  Or, there was that time on Thanksgiving weekend when I placed Dan’s hand on the perfect spot on my belly so that he could feel Cameron kick for the very first time.  As our baby grew in my belly, Dan would kiss and talk to his unborn child.  His care and concern was evident and I loved Dan for being such a wonderful father already.

But the moment that Dan really became a father, down to the very fiber of his being, was right after I had delivered Cameron.  Dan, from what I could tell, had just witnessed something entirely life changing.  He had just witnessed his wife undergo 37 hours of labour including two brutal hours of pushing.  And from that came our perfect little son.

I have never before or since seen that same look that Dan had in his eyes that night.  His heart was broken for me and for our new little baby.  He looked at me with tears in his eyes and I knew right then and there that he loved our son with all his heart because he loved me first and foremost.  He was an awe of me and he was in awe of this perfect little creature that our love created.

I love Dan with all of my being.  I love him for all that he is.  The wonderful thing is that since Dan has become a father, he is now more that he was before and therefore I can’t help but love him even more.  From the earliest parts of our relationship, I have known that Dan has wanted kids, and I am so glad that I played a part in helping him become a father.

Happy First Father’s Day Dan!  I hope you know that Cameron and I love you dearly and we are so thankful that you are part of our family!

I cannot possibly finish this without also mentioning my very special and amazing Dad and Cameron’s Papa.  The name “Papa” has very special meaning for our family.  In fact, Cameron is named after my Papa and Dan’s Papa, both who died the year before we got pregnant.  It is with honour that we call my Dad Papa.

My Dad was always extra special to me.  When I was growing up, it was often him I would turn to when I wanted cuddles or needed advice.  As a little kid, he would be the one I wanted tucking me into bed.  We had a goodnight routine that only we knew.  Dad told the best stories of his childhood (we loved to hear about the time he broke his collarbone or the time he stole candy).  When I got older, I always appreciated and looked forward to our talks.

I can’t wait for Cameron to make his own memories with Papa.

Being a Dad is such a special responsibility.  To all the dads who do such an amazing job: Happy Father’s Day!  I, for one, couldn’t do this Mom thing without the Dad beside me.