Five years ago, Christi called me at work and told me that she was in labor again. She had gone into labor ten weeks early, but the doctors were able to arrest her contractions. Now, still six weeks early, Patrick decided he was coming for good. A few hours later I was the proud daddy of a little golden-haired boy.
Nothing quite prepares a father for a little boy. Little boys are a special blend of hard-headedness, dirt, laughter, and responsibility that only dads can truly appreciate. Patrick is no different.
He's the little boy you have to hose off naked in the backyard before you let him come in the house because he spent all morning rolling in dirt and mud. He is the little monkey who figured out how to escape his crib and pick locks before he was two (yeah, I wish I was joking about the locks). He is the little man who is obsessed with cars, transformers, and anything that makes noise. He is the child who knows how to make you laugh until your belly hurts.
He is also the kid who makes you want to be the best man you can because you know he wants to be just like his daddy.
He follows you around watching all you do, wanting to do things like help you fix your bike and shoot guns. He is always digging through your toolbox and trying to wear your clothes.
You try to set the best example you can because he is always watching you.
That's why you are so damn proud when he does things like reminds you to pray, or tells you he stood up for other kids at the park who were being picked on. You take pride every time he learns to climb higher on the jungle gym because he is learning from you to face his fears. He is a reflection of who you want to be and little by little he is becoming a little man.
And yet, he is still that little boy who loves to climb in bed next to his daddy and you can only smile at him when he is asleep. It warms your heart when he says, "I love you Dad."
It's the things in life that can't be bought that are the most precious. Happy Birthday son. I take special pride and joy in having the honor of being your daddy.
