Before I got married I remember one of my friends pulling me aside and warning me cryptically that “everything in your life is about to change.” Well, a few things changed (if you know what I mean, heh heh), but all in all life still puttered along at the same relative pace.

                  Weekends presented themselves with their myriad of entertainment options. “Let’s see, we can go to the beach, the drive-in, sleep in, or all three!” I could come home from work, take a short nap, go for a walk with my wife and play World of Warcraft until one in the morning.

                   “Wow! This isn’t so bad!” I thought. That guy wasn’t right at all. Life is grand! Sure, there were a few obligatory married-guy things; going to the in-laws (which I love by the way), meeting all of her friends (which I also love), not being able to eat nachos and beer as an in-bed late night snack (well I needed to stop that anyway, sheeeesh!)

                So of course, as many couples do, we thought, “it’s time to have a baby!” Soon after, the second line appeared and we were on our way.  ”Having kids is awesome!” our blessed friends would tell us. We of course paid no attention to the slight tremble on the side of their lips, the little shudder as they heard our good news, and the way their smiles seemed a just a little frozen as they pried our valubles from their childrens’ hands and drug them screaming like banshees out the door.

          Of course I was again given the ominous warning: “Get ready for your life to be changed forever . . . ” “Oh pish-posh,” I thought, “I’m sure I can  miss my favorite shows occasionally and of course we won’t be able to go to the movies or the beach every weekend  but things won’t be that different.”

Oops.

        Fast-forward to one month after Melody’s birth . . . “Well, OK, sleep is a little overrated, I mean who needs 4 hours a night anyway? Having a baby is awesome! Look how much she loves me. Oh, hmmmm, on second thought she seems to think I’m Satan. Oh well, heh heh heh, I’m sure she’ll get over it.” (3 hours later) “I’m going to die. My daughter hates me! Whose idea was this anyway Bethany? Oh. Well I know it takes two to tango but c’mon, listen to her! I’d rather hear Urkel fight Jar-Jar Binks than this! Ohhh Whhhhhhhhhy Me?”

           Needless to say, if getting married is a slight trim in the barbershop of life, having a kid is a chainsaw loud, fear-inducing buzz cut with a slap on the cheek for good measure.

           Well, OK, maybe not quite that bad but at any rate I can now truly say that other than meeting and marrying my lovely wife, having my daughter is the best thing that has ever happened to me. There is something about having her run and give me a hug when she hasn’t seen me all day that is somewhere near Heaven. So happy Father’s Day (one day late) to my Father and all of you other fathers out there. Be blessed.

IMG_5883

Advertisement