Daddy Speaks Out

Well, another year has passed. Of course most of you think I’m talking about 2009 coming to a close. I’m not. Selfishly, I’m talking about me here. You see, today’s my birthday. I turn 33 today (insert old joke here). And so I thought: what better time than now to break my blog silence…when I'm reflecting on how blessed I am in life.

It’s interesting to look back and think about how much life changes over such a short period of time—and I’ve only lived a small portion of it. In my early twenties it was all about the party and living beyond my means. In my mid-twenties it was all about playing golf and baseball and spending an obscene amount of time at Benchwarmer Bob’s. In my late twenties and early thirties it was all about making more money—having financial security.

Okay, so that wasn’t what it was all about— I did graduate from college and get a good job and buy a townhome and adopt the world’s craziest dog; I did marry my soulmate and become closer to my parents and family than I’ve ever been. But they were some powerful underlying motivators, that can’t be debated.

But you know what?

Partying and living beyond my means is nothing compared to looking across the room and seeing Shae smile wide at me, exposing his two front teeth. Playing golf and baseball and spending an obscene amount of time at Benchwarmer Bob’s pales in comparison to reading a book to Shae and having him look up into my eyes in expectation of what I’m going to say next. Making more money seems insignificant when we’re all lying on the living room floor laughing and playing—mommy, daddy, Rocky and Shae.

Shae is my little man, my bud, my flying baby, my squiggly-wiggly squirmy-wormy skinny-minny poopy-bear. He’s what makes my world turn. And I couldn’t be happier to turn 33, especially when it means birthday hugs and kisses from my son.