I know that the title of today's post sounds a bit confessional in nature, but it's not. It's much more reflective in nature. Eighteen years ago, on this auspicious day, 16 February, a very young couple, (OK, it was Shari and me) marched into that famed factory of mass baby-birthing, Utah Valley Regional Medical Center, in Provo, Utah, in order to bring our first child into the world.
I think it's safe to say we were pretty clueless on that day. We were, however, brimming with excitement. We didn't know if we were having a girl or a boy (student health insurance was not especially generous then and so ultrasounds were out of the question). We just knew someone great was coming. It was a Thursday (I remember this because this was the heyday of "LA Law" and Shari was in the middle of some heavy contractions when it was on so I missed most of that night's episode) and then, very early in the hours of Friday, that someone great arrived. Sarah Ann was born the morning of 16 February 1990. What a wonder and a blessing she was! I remember the first time I got to hold her. I could not believe that Shari and I had been blessed with this little girl. I was overwhelmed, to the point of sobbing, at the thought of having to now be responsible for this baby and her mom. I was a senior at BYU at the time! But then as panic began to envelop me as I held her and watched the doctors tend to Shari, I was flooded with a sense of love for that baby that was all encompassing. It filled every fiber of my being! I sensed then that we'd be OK.
So here we are, eighteen years later, celebrating Sarah's birthday. I'm not going to recount the last eighteen years in this space-that would be completely lame. As I watch Sarah today, I am filled with a sense of pride (and not the evil pride, people!) and admiration for this young woman. I still can't believe that I have been blessed to be her dad. She is a testament to the amazing mothering skills of her mom. Fortunately, she's got a lot more of her mom's tendencies than mine (I think that can be said of all three of our children). As I've reflected on the last eighteen years, I almost feel the way I did when she was born. Eighteen years ago, she joined us to embark on an adventure of growing up. Today, she's on the precipice of leaving home, going to college, finding out what this world is all about. She's ready. She's smart, she's tough, she speaks her mind, she's amazing. She's solid in the gospel of Jesus Christ. I am comforted by all this.
In spite of it being a big day for her, she's chosen to spend it at home tonight. She's asked Shari to make her favorite meal, chicken croissants. We'll probably watch a movie and just hang out. Next year, she'll be at school having fun with her roomates, etc. I am excited for her, but man, I'm going to miss her.
Happy birthday, Sarah. Love you, Dad
I think it's safe to say we were pretty clueless on that day. We were, however, brimming with excitement. We didn't know if we were having a girl or a boy (student health insurance was not especially generous then and so ultrasounds were out of the question). We just knew someone great was coming. It was a Thursday (I remember this because this was the heyday of "LA Law" and Shari was in the middle of some heavy contractions when it was on so I missed most of that night's episode) and then, very early in the hours of Friday, that someone great arrived. Sarah Ann was born the morning of 16 February 1990. What a wonder and a blessing she was! I remember the first time I got to hold her. I could not believe that Shari and I had been blessed with this little girl. I was overwhelmed, to the point of sobbing, at the thought of having to now be responsible for this baby and her mom. I was a senior at BYU at the time! But then as panic began to envelop me as I held her and watched the doctors tend to Shari, I was flooded with a sense of love for that baby that was all encompassing. It filled every fiber of my being! I sensed then that we'd be OK.
So here we are, eighteen years later, celebrating Sarah's birthday. I'm not going to recount the last eighteen years in this space-that would be completely lame. As I watch Sarah today, I am filled with a sense of pride (and not the evil pride, people!) and admiration for this young woman. I still can't believe that I have been blessed to be her dad. She is a testament to the amazing mothering skills of her mom. Fortunately, she's got a lot more of her mom's tendencies than mine (I think that can be said of all three of our children). As I've reflected on the last eighteen years, I almost feel the way I did when she was born. Eighteen years ago, she joined us to embark on an adventure of growing up. Today, she's on the precipice of leaving home, going to college, finding out what this world is all about. She's ready. She's smart, she's tough, she speaks her mind, she's amazing. She's solid in the gospel of Jesus Christ. I am comforted by all this.
In spite of it being a big day for her, she's chosen to spend it at home tonight. She's asked Shari to make her favorite meal, chicken croissants. We'll probably watch a movie and just hang out. Next year, she'll be at school having fun with her roomates, etc. I am excited for her, but man, I'm going to miss her.
Happy birthday, Sarah. Love you, Dad
1 comment:
What a sweet tribute to your beautiful girl! You and Shari both have done an amazing job with your kids!!
Happy Birthday, Sarah! The best is yet to come. . .
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