4/10/21

Dear Atlas,

It’s me, your Dad.

The older I get, the more experiences I’ve added to my collection of memories. You, Atlas, are a chapter that I am still experiencing. My life hasn’t been the same since I found out you were coming.

There have been a lot of ups and downs, personally, professionally, spiritually, mentally, and in the relationship I have with your Mom. Truth be told, she and I are both doing our best to figure things out, get to know each other, and prepare for a family.

That’s a lot to take in, from the outside looking in. However, being in the driver’s seat, I see a clear path ahead that involves our whole family. I get worried when I can’t see as far ahead as I’d like, or something seems to break down in our proverbial car . . .

As your arrival comes closer, I find more and more things I’m looking forward to experiencing with our family. Walks in the morning, breakfast, Saturday cartoons (none of that post-WWII garbage), love letters for your Mom, your first steps, the sound of your voice . . .

I see memories that were made to be shared and enjoyed by more than two people—family.

Last night, your Mom and I were falling asleep. I put my hand on her so I could feel you. Boy, did you move! I felt our family unit in that moment, as if for the first time. I didn’t want to be anywhere else, with anybody else, doing anything other than what I was doing. I felt you, your Mom, and my energy in a harmonious state . . . and it felt like heaven.

I love you,

Dad