My Hopes

As I laid in bed tonight, obviously unable to sleep (hence the midnight post), I couldn't help but race a few thoughts through my head. I continue to witness the mass that was my wife's belly grow on a daily basis, reminding me daily of the imminent life changer headed my way in T-minus 110 days. I see friends of ours with their children and watch them all interact in such amazing ways. I realize how lucky I am to watch some of my best friends raise their children, and be witness to each little miracle these kids accomplish. I, in the grand scheme of things, am one lucky S.O.B.

However, Baby H's days haven't yet begun. I have this Utopian idea of parenthood in my head (yes, yes, I know there's diapers and projectile vomiting involved, but let's keep our eyes on the big picture here), but what's truly in store? What will life be like for her once she hits the ground running?

My biggest fear of parenthood, to this point anyway, is of misdirecting my daughter. Of putting my own hopes and dreams for her, my utopia, before her own. I fear setting her up for a life that she believes will make daddy proud, but won't allow her to be who she wants to be. So, in an effort to dispel these directives I have replaced them with different hopes. Not so much for a certain lifestyle but of a life. Here's a few:

• I hope for you great health. I hope you don't inherit daddy's asthma or either of our sensitive skin. I hope for no major hiccups along the way. I hope you live life, from the first minute to the final, with vitality and vigor.
• I hope for you great friends. I wish for you to pick a handful that will be by your side like mine have for many years and through every new turn, and a bucket-full that can experience life with you throughout each new stage.
• I hope for you knowledge and a love of learning. I really hope you pick this up from mommy and not from me... I hope you gain a thirst to enhance your own skills, be them mental or physical, that is never quenched.
• I hope for you a warrior spirit with a kind heart. I would love nothing more than to watch you work your way through life conquering everything you set forth to do, while helping those you encounter along the way.
• I hope, above all else, you feel love like no other. Every day of my life, be it from your mom, your grandparents, your Great-Grandparents, your Aunt Mica or Aunt Jenny, or the many other Aunts and Uncles your about to meet, I hear the words "I Love You" from someone. I hope each time you hear these words you can feel the comfort and appreciation that I do.

These are just a few of the things I hope for her as zero hour approaches. I'm sure, as time goes on and crawls turn to first steps, to running steps, and eventually to a sprint that I'll pick up a few more. But, throughout all of this, one thing I am 100% sure will occur is that I will love you every day, and will hold nothing back to turn these hopes to a reality. I love you baby girl.