Thankful

Well, it’s nearly that time of year where we make like a Turkey and stuff ourselves. For me, Thanksgiving has always been about spending time with the folks you used to spendevery day with. Heather and I are both lucky enough to have immediate family members within a few driving hours of us, so the holidays aren’t the only time we get to see family, but they are still very enjoyable.

We usually have fairly small, family Thanksgivings, because both of us have uprooted families. My parents left the dusty panhandles of Texas and Oklahoma for the clean Washington rain. Heather traveled in a Navy gypsy caravan and wound up going from Pennsylvania to Whidbey Island just in time for her high school years. So, for both of us, Thanksgiving was about immediate family… Mom and dad and the siblings. And as time has gone by, the parents who left a family behind now have a larger family, here. Which means Finley is fortunate to spend her first of many Thanksgivings with Aunts and Uncles and cousins.

So, in the spirit of being thankful, I would have to say the first thing on my list I am thankful for, is my family. I know that’s a pretty basic one, but it’s important. Without my family, I wouldn’t be the person I am. I wouldn’t have done all the things in my life that lead me to these past few amazing years. And there’s nothing that can compare to my life with Heather and Finley. So, thanks to my family for getting me here.

Which leads me to my girls. One of the things that makes Thanksgiving a little extra special around our home, is that it was about this time a few years ago that Heather and I “officially” started dating. I remember having Thanksgiving with my family and telling them about my “new girlfriend.” Of course, my mom needed to know every last detail, and I obliged. Fast forward, and now we’re on the verge of celebrating our first Turkey Day with our own little turkey. And that’s the second thing on my thankful list.

I can’t think of anything that feels more like a gift than the day that little girl arrived. Heather and I both knew I was in trouble from the moment we found out she was going to be a she. And it’s so true. Finley has her old man wrapped around her finger and I’m gladly wrapped. Whether it’s seeing that first smile of the day or kissing her forehead, gently, as she lays down for the night, there’s only one thing in my life to match the love I have for that little girl. And that’s the love I have for that little girl’s mommy.

I thought it couldn’t get any better, as I stood on the beach in Mexico, trading vows with the love of my life. I thought things were pretty great. I had this fabulous woman. We loved all the time we spent with each other. We had nothing but time. Then the stork came by and dropped off a package. And it just keeps getting better.

I like to think I’m a pretty good Daddy. I can be left alone with the girl for several hours and the house doesn’t burn down. I can change a diaper with the best of them, and I don’t get as wet at bath time as I used to. But when it comes to parenting, I am nothing compared to Heather. Everything I am as a dad comes from watching her. And you know what? It makes me love her even more. Last on my thankful list, but first in my heart… Heather.

I didn’t know what would happen after the baby came. I didn’t know if everything was going to be baby, baby, baby and no us. But somehow… because of Heather… it has never been an issue. There is baby time… which is 98% of the time… and then there’s us time. And all of it… Every single second… is great. I’m not saying we live a perfect life. I’m not saying we don’t argue or even drive each other batty. But there’s no one I’d rather be batty with than her.

It all comes together at the end of the day. I sneak into Finley’s room and lay a hand on her back and feel her little body breathing. Then I crawl into bed and wrap my arms around Heather and feel her breathing. And every night, I feel the same… it takes my breath away.