Time and experience are the greatest teachers, and I've learned quite a bit from both of these in the last year since the birth of our daughter. It's no secret that I love my husband. He knows me better than anyone else and still loves me unconditionally despite the many flaws that embody me. He is hard-working, honest, caring, and patient. There are countless other adjectives to describe the kind of man my husband is, but the birth of our daughter gave him the new coveted title of "Daddy."
What could be better than being a Dad? If I had a million reasons before the birth of our daughter to love my husband, now I have a million and one. Seeing Nathan go from being a husband to a father overnight has been nothing shy of amazing. He has poured so much love into A that I feel full from it. He can't wait to get home each night from work just to see his little girl, who loves her Daddy just as much as he loves her.
Watching their relationship is so rewarding for me. Daddy's love and play differently than Mommy's do. Not better or worse, just different in a very special way, and there is nothing I enjoy more than watching these two together. If A is in her high chair eating dinner when he walks in, she stretches her head around that high chair the minute she hears the door open because she knows Daddy is home. Nathan can get her to smile and laugh more than anyone it seems. The belly-laugh giggle that she gives when he's around is contageous and it will melt your heart. There are a few "special" games that the two of them will play. Closet Peek-a-Boo and Chase are the games A loves playing with Daddy, and it is filled with laughter, tickles, and great bonding.
Nathan loves throwing her up in the air, moving fast with her in the stroller, turning her upside down, tickling her on her tummy and thighs, and pointing back at her when she points at him. Popping out from behind something and saying "Boo" never seems to tire her out - she can't get enough!
Daddy's love their children in such unique and special ways; our children thrive so much on the love and adoration of their fathers. Nathan is head over heels in love with our little girl, and nothing could make me happier than to see him doting over A. She will grow more in love with him with each passing day and memory, not only with the father he is to her, but the kind of man he is as well.
Happy Father's Day to all the special Daddy's!