Daddy!
In our early years of marriage, Nathan wasn't 100% sure he wanted to be a dad. He worried about the work it would take, but mostly he worried that he wouldn't be good at it. I thought he would, but you never really know what parenting will be like until it is upon you. Almost 2 years into his gig as a dad, anyone who has seen Nathan as a dad would have to laugh at his concerns. As it turns out, Nathan is better at it than I even hoped he'd be--I truly can't imagine a more dedicated and loving partner in parenting. Having him as Lucy's dad is good for Lucy and good for her Mama.

Nathan, we love you because you give yourself so completely to the project of fatherhood. You signed up for the "Dads and Daughters" newsletter and think about how to raise a strong and healthy girl in the midst of a culture that makes this difficult. You get up and make pancakes on Saturdays when you'd rather sleep in and eat raisin bran. You gladly take a sick day when Lucy needs to stay home with a cold (not to mention wiping out most of your sick and vacation days last fall without even questioning it). You color, play with blocks, wear funny hats, rock, sing songs, and do silly voices when you read books.



You were a daddy in the very worst of times, a steady and faithful presence to help keep us together. You are a daddy in the mundane times of diapers and baths and wiping noses and making toast. And you are a daddy in the best of times, helping Lucy hold baby crabs or throw rocks into the water or play at the park or pick lettuce in the garden you planted.

The girl says it simply, "Lucy love daddy." Though it takes me more words to say it, so does her mama. Happy Fathers' Day!