I've been thinking about what to say
It's difficult to express raw emotion concisely the first time you write something, so forgive me if this rambles a bit.
So it was around this time nine years ago that the most important event of my life to that point happened.
I remember it pretty well--the evening of December 31, 1998, I was sitting in my apartment, hanging out with Jordain and Bob, when I got a call from Jessica's friend Leslie. She asked me if I was sitting down, because she had something to tell me.
"You're about to be a father."
It was a few weeks early, and apparently she decided it was time to break out of her water sack and take the world by the short hairs. So Bob and I drove up to Birmingham so that I could be there. As many of you know, her mother and I were not exactly on the best terms at the time, but for some reason she wanted me there. So I went.
When I got there they had just put in the epidural for the second time, and Jessica was in labor for at least 4 hours. I was with her from the time I arrived until Madison was born.
After the nurses, I was the first person to hold my daughter. I had never felt so overcome with emotion, so afraid, so unprepared. But I loved her so; in an instant I went from being a bitter wretch in my mid-20's, to feeling a love so intense, so real and amazing and beautiful; in a moment I was changed.
I've often told my daughter that she is the first person to save my life, and although she'll never really understand what it means, she always responds with "I love you daddy." She was my first true, unconditional love. She was my life; gave it meaning and hope. She kept me going for so very long, through so many difficult things. She was my strength through the worst part of my life. She is my beautiful baby girl. My guardian angel. Without her, I would not be alive.
It really is as simple as that.
Happy birthday Madison. I love you with all of my heart. I thank God for you every day of my life.
So it was around this time nine years ago that the most important event of my life to that point happened.
I remember it pretty well--the evening of December 31, 1998, I was sitting in my apartment, hanging out with Jordain and Bob, when I got a call from Jessica's friend Leslie. She asked me if I was sitting down, because she had something to tell me.
"You're about to be a father."
It was a few weeks early, and apparently she decided it was time to break out of her water sack and take the world by the short hairs. So Bob and I drove up to Birmingham so that I could be there. As many of you know, her mother and I were not exactly on the best terms at the time, but for some reason she wanted me there. So I went.
When I got there they had just put in the epidural for the second time, and Jessica was in labor for at least 4 hours. I was with her from the time I arrived until Madison was born.
After the nurses, I was the first person to hold my daughter. I had never felt so overcome with emotion, so afraid, so unprepared. But I loved her so; in an instant I went from being a bitter wretch in my mid-20's, to feeling a love so intense, so real and amazing and beautiful; in a moment I was changed.
I've often told my daughter that she is the first person to save my life, and although she'll never really understand what it means, she always responds with "I love you daddy." She was my first true, unconditional love. She was my life; gave it meaning and hope. She kept me going for so very long, through so many difficult things. She was my strength through the worst part of my life. She is my beautiful baby girl. My guardian angel. Without her, I would not be alive.
It really is as simple as that.
Happy birthday Madison. I love you with all of my heart. I thank God for you every day of my life.