Chris Denny Photo

… you changed my life.

There are moments in life when the only thing that matters is the here and now — when everything else fades into the background. The day you were born was one of those moments. It was a shock to hear your first cry, to hold you for the first time, and to realize that in holding you, I was holding every hope and every tomorrow. I didn’t know it at the time, but as you grew, so would I. I would have to change in so many ways to take on the gift of loving you.

You are two now; full of energy (I still don’t understand where it all comes from), curiosity, and a spark that lights up our home. You’re beginning to find your words and string them together into real conversation. One of my favorites is “come, Dad,” with that little hand gesture that means you want to play or read. I’m pretty sure you learned it from watching me call Maverick back inside, but I don’t take it personally.

You’ve taught me that the smallest things; sharing a laugh until you get hiccups, chasing a ball down the hall, drifting around the house in your cozy coupe, tucking you in at night, or closing your eyes while we sing together; can carry the greatest weight of love.

I’m so thankful for you, Ev. Thankful for the way you remind me to notice the world again. For the way you make ordinary days feel sacred. Keep finding magic in the simple things. The world can feel cold sometimes, but my hope for you is that you’ll always move through it with warm kindness and love.

Wherever life takes you, know this; you are loved beyond measure. Not because of what you do, but because of who you are and who you’ve been from the very start.

Happy Birthday, my sweet girl,

Everlasting Love,

Dad

“The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day.”

Proverbs 4:18 (NLT)

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Each year, I hope to write a letter to my daughter; something she might read someday and see who we both were in that moment.