As one of the most chatty, dramatic people you know, it has seemed quite curious that such a life-shaking event such as the late December arrival of our first child Natalie came without a mention on this blog so far. Sure, she’s a poster child of Facebook and has been since a few minutes after her birth. But getting the time to sit down and reflect on the events of the past month has been challenging, to say the least.
It’s been a great, long ride since LeAnn handed me the children’s book The Velveteen Rabbit including a note that said “you are going to be a daddy.” We had planned to start a family after a sufficient honeymoon/newlywed period and suspected she might be “with child” the week prior to confirmation. Through the process, I saw my beautiful wife begin assuming this new motherly dimension, a role I always knew she was born to play.
As far as Natalie’s arrival, how do I describe that unbelievable experience? As a man halfway into my thirties before a hint of her life came into existence, the absolute shell-shock moment of that beautiful, pale, elongated head crying her way into this world was breathtaking. So surreal. But surely I knew she was coming. LeAnn’s belly enlarged and I saw the ultrasounds. It was not a secret or surprise. Everyone had given us advice and I’d lie in bed visualizing what the birth would be like. We had little doubt we would go to the hospital and return home with a baby. And yet the entire thing still rocked my world as if I were the last one to be told.
I’ve traveled on long journeys before, the kind where you drive so long you forget what time you left home. You see the mile markers that say you’re getting closer. You might have information that describes what it will be like once you get there. You know you’re on the right road and mentally prepare yourself to arrive. Still, there’s a moment when you see it with your own eyes and all the information, advice and expectations just melt away. Nothing could have come close to adequately preparing you for this glorious moment. It’s here – she’s here – and your world before and after is split in two (I imagine that’s kind of what heaven will be like).
Welcome to our world, little miss Natalie. Thanks for bringing us our own little piece of heaven.
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