First Father's Day

I bet I have typed and re-typed this blog about a hundred times because when it comes down to it, how can I put into words a daddy's first Father's Day? How can words possibly capture the emotions of such an important event?

Ever since the day we started dating I knew that Bill would be an amazing father. We would walk into places like Target and tiny little hands would reach out from their mother's buggies just to touch him. We couldn't get through a meal without distractions of Bill making funny faces at the children at the next table and then hanging his head low like he had gotten in trouble for not paying attention to our conversation. I cannot tell you the number of children that climbed in our booth, pulled up next to Bill and grinned... followed by their parents deepest apologies and "i swear he/she has never done that before." One of my favorite memories happened in Pottery Barn. It had been a long day of shopping and I am sure that Bill would have rather been anywhere but Pottery Barn at that moment, but he just smiled while I showed him one nick nack after the other when two little boys came rushing through us arms spread out like planes making those loud humming noises that only little boys know how to make. And then a little old lady came up behind Bill, tapped him on the shoulder and said "Tag... your grandma!" She was completely exhausted.

I smile every time I think of Bill as a father. When we got married we put a 5 year plan in place, like there was something magic about waiting 5 years before having a child. By my age, my parents were bringing number 2 into the world - funny how things change! It seemed like the closer and closer we got to 5 years the further we seemed to push the dates out... until Julia. Sweet Julia Wolf, you will never know how you changed our lives! Such a tiny little thing, and when she held up those outstretched arms to Bill and he swooped her up... turning to me with a smile that I had never seen before and saying "I think it might be okay to have kids." I knew that was it! We never looked back - just took that blind leap into parenthood. Little did we know how quickly it would actually happen for us. How quickly 'it might be okay' turned into 'I am pregnant!'

Bill, you are amazing. You are truly a wonderful father and the man of my dreams. From the moment we found out that we were having a boy, you held your head so high and there was not a single nurse that day who even had to ask the sex of the baby because your expression said it all.

The first time you held your son in your arms, you two were in love with one another and you seemed to glow as you proudly carried him through the hospital corridor.

I love to watch you with your son. He is so trusting of you already. As if he knows that you would do anything for him. That you will always be there for him and love him unconditionally. That he is so lucky to have you as his father.

I love the way you laugh with Liam. How you do not care how silly you look when you make funny faces because to hear that little giggle you would stand outside in your underwear! And only you can make him belly laugh till our sides hurt. It's infectious.

And I love the way that you let me dress you two alike, because I think it is absolutely adorable!

I love the way he sleeps like you do. It is the definition of peacefulness.

I am in awe of you and I have so much respect for the man that you are and the father you are becoming already. I know that Liam is going to be so proud to call you his daddy and I cannot wait for what is to come.

The bond between father and son is so special. Liam is going to grow up to be an awesome husband and father with you to guide and teach him. You learned from one of the best and I know that looking at you with you son your father is so proud of you as well.

Liam is going to look up to you and want to follow in your every footstep! Drinking your coffee black, scotch on the rocks, football and golf are rights of passage and can only be learned from watching a true Robinson!

Happy First Father's Day! We love you!