Dear Garrett,
Twenty-six years ago today, you made me a father for the first time. ... Ready or not! There you were! ... All bluish with a squished head a squawk to wake the birthing unit.
Yeah, be warned, no one prepares prospective dads for that moment. ... Years of seeing babies delivered on television had conditioned me to believe they come spittin' out, clean as a whistle, freshly combed hair and wrapped tightly in a snuggly blanket.
Turns out there's a few steps in between someone should let soon-to-be dads know about.
And now, here you are, out saving the world with your superhero nursing skills! ... To say that we are proud of you is an understatement!
When I close my eyes, I can still recall my little buddy who liked to tag along with me to the newspaper office and the athletic events I used to cover. Carry his own reporters notebook, and soaking it all in like you were decades older than you were.
And I recall how much you loved your plastic work bench on which you could wrench and hammer and screwdrive plastic nails, bolts and screws all day long. Also, there were the "Bear in the Big Blue House" marathons and the walks in the woods to the pond, and the fossil hunting. Great times! Beloved memories with you that make me tear up thinking how long ago that all was.
Truth be told: I was so terrified to become a dad when you were born. But from the day the doctor placed you -- all bluish, squishy and squirming -- into my hands so long ago, you've made being a parent so easy.
You were an old soul from Day One, and you've grown wiser every single passing day.
Fresh out of college, I had visions in my head of being a shoeless, vagrant newspaper reporter living on a beach in Puerto Rico. Muck racking and uncovering dirt while soakin' up the sun and cheap rum. That seemed like a pretty good way to earn a livin' back then before the news of your impending arrival.
Then, life took a turn. Surprise! ... You're going to be a dad! ... And you came along to interrupt my tropical career plans. ... However, despite the gray hairs it's given me, this other plan has turned out alright. I really haven't missed that beach-livin' dream very much.
In all seriousness, we are so proud of the fine man that you are. We couldn't ask for a better role model for your siblings, and we're are incredibly blessed by the compassion, sincerity and laughter that you bring to all of us.
We are also proud of your dedication to the craft of nursing. Nurses are the quintessential frontline health worker, and we know how seriously you take that the responsibility. We've never gotten to see you nursing in action, but just given your personality and your compassion, we know that the patients you see are truly blessed. Thank you for your service to humanity!
And now, can it be possible? ... We are preparing for the big day when you officially bring Anna into the family! My heart grows when I think of the special love the two of you have found in this world. It's no easy task finding the person who "gets" you, but you both have made it look easy.
The love the two of you bring with you into a room is palpable. And it will be a joy to officially welcome her to our family even though she became "No. 5, but No. 1 in our hearts."
Frankly, it's a little amazing that despite all of these years she has had to get to know us, we have not yet scared Anna off!
Thank you son for all these years of adventures. I am a very blessed father. You have grown into a tremendous man, and this world is a better place because of you're being in it.
Happy birthday! You are a blessing to us and so many more!
Love,
Your gushy and embarrassing Dad
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