In between all the diaper changes and sleepless nights, I’ve learned a lot about communication. I memorize my daughter’s distinct cry when she’s hungry. I know she’s looking for attention when her cry is softer and tentative. She also has this high-pitched and irate cry when she’s over tired. I think I’ve done a good job learning her language and responding to her, and I only wish I could say the same about being a wife. There are too many things that have been left unsaid as we started this chapter as new parents, so I’m writing this to try and capture the words I’ve been meaning to say. Let me start with this: Dear Husband, amidst the chaos, I love you.
From the operating room to the doctors’ visits and nursing our daughter in between, it’s still a blur to me. All I know for sure is that I could not have done any of it without you. You were also exhausted and nervous, but you stepped up for the both of us. There are no words enough to thank you for your composure in the delivery room and your patience with me during recovery. May you be the exact same way for round 2!
When she smiles at you like you’re her whole world, my hearts flutters. When you proudly answer our pedia’s questions to the smallest detail, I am impressed. When I watch you both playing and laughing like crazy, I can’t help but thank God for you.
There are definitely days when I miss date nights when it was just us two, but then I remember how this life we’re living is exactly what we would be talking about back then. We made it happen! We now look forward to the places we’ll take our family and what our Sunday traditions will be, and I think that there is just so much more to look forward to.
I see you working day and night to make our dreams a reality. I see you take the first wake window of the day so I get a few more minutes of sleep. I see all the cumbersome baby gear, the pitchers of water, and the coolers of breastmilk you carry around so I won’t have to. I see the plans you opt out of and the games you skip just, to spend more time with us. I see how blessed we are to be loved by you.
You, too, have been able to balance being an involved and hands-on father with running your own challenging businesses. I am so proud of you.