A letter to our girl

Dear Fiona,

Over the course of your life, you will hear me talk a lot about your power as a woman, what femininity can look like, and how capable you are. We will have conversations about gender roles and stereotypes and how you can break down harmful barriers and stretch boundaries. We will probably even say things like “boys are stupid” when hormones and feelings are a little too much to bear. You will hear me say to my sisters and friends that men just don’t understand what it is like be a women and experience the pressures of all that surrounds that word. And you will even hear me express frustration, anger, and sadness in reaction to something your dad has said or done.

But for now let me say that there are good men in the world, and your father is one of them.

As we approach the halfway mark to your first year of life, I want you to know how much your father loves you and how hard he works to make a good life for you.

He sings to you in the morning when all I can muster is a grumpy “why don’t you want to sleep longer” expression.

He loves to feed you, even if it means he gets sweet potatoes all over his shirt (and the table, the floor, the high chair, you, etc.).

He changes all types of diapers, giggling with you as he does it.

He loves to cover you in bubbles at bath time.

He gets excited about brining you home “surprises” like rice cereal or a mustache pacifier.

He has slept with you in his arms countless times and will secretly mourn the day when you no longer want to do so.

His phone is full of your pictures, and he will gladly talk with anyone about how cute you are (which is a big deal for your introverted, I hate small talk dad).

He has teared up more in the last 6 months than I have seen him do in the past 5 years.

He lives for your smile, your laugh, your head nuzzle on his shoulder.

He works hard to make sure we have the basics like food and shelter, and some bonuses like grilled pizza.

He will stand up for your rights as a person, and encourage you to stand up for the civil rights of others.

He will teach you about financial security, rhetoric, how to try your best, and how to relax on a Sunday afternoon.

He will protect you fiercely and worry about you constantly.

He is a good dad, and you, my dear, are the light of his life. And I am so grateful for that.