My first Father's Day

About eight months ago, on October 29, 2008, I became a father. It has been both more wonderful and more difficult than I had ever thought.

I mean, I'd heard tons of other people describe the awe and joy that came with parenthood, but I couldn't seem to take them seriously. "There's no way it's that fantastic," I'd think when hearing other new parents gush about how their child changed their life. Don't get me wrong, I thought it would be great and all, I just didn't think it would be as crazily, abjectly mind-blowing as others did.

I was wrong.

Lucian is a fantastically, awesomely wonderful little dude. I teared up and couldn't speak when he was born, and still do when I think about it. Since then, I know that all those other new parents were right. The most life-changing thing ever...Incomparably wonderful...and all those other seemingly cheesy things you hear to describe becoming a parent - turns out, they're true.

Not that it's all roses and Sonic blasts, mind you. Between his nursing problems, food intolerances, and sleeping issues, we've had more than our fair share of difficulties. But, the joy of shepherding (and being shepherded by) a life you and your wife created more than makes up for it. Even at 6:15 am, when I started writing this after the little one woke up (after a night not really sleeping, seems like it's growth spurt time), I am just continually amazed by him.

I told Ali multiple times yesterday "Thank you for making me a father." I have an awesome family, a great life, and the best Father's Day ever...because I am one.