Her squeals echoed through the kitchen as you chased her around, you made sure to run slowly so she thought she was keeping away from you. Finally you scooped her up tickling her and her giggles were infectious! As I sat on a stool watching this scene unfold I thought this guy is going to be a good dad. We had barely known each other 6 weeks at that point and the little girl was your niece Cara. She was about 2 when we met and now she is 11. I can’t believe that much time has passed and how different our lives look now. Little did I know then how incredible of a father you would really be!
Our boys may not remember these days when they get older but I will always hold in my heart the memories of you coming through the door and immediately scooping them up and running around our kitchen like a crazy man. I can’t wait till Rob is old enough to walk and watch the three of you run around the island all screaming with excitement. The joy in your face as you play with our boys melts my heart. I really have never met a father so in love with his children.
On those days where nap time was a figment of my imagination, the house is in ruins and I look like the walking dead you become my superhero, you jump right into the mix taking over so I can have a few quiet moments to take a much needed bathroom break. I know you’ve had a long day at work, you were up super early to catch the train and you are exhausted when you walk in but on those crazy days you put it all aside and save me. You have no idea how much I love you in those moments!
So my love Happy Father’s Day! I’m going to give myself a little pat on the back for picking the best dad I could have found for our kids. Our boys are blessed more than they will ever know because they have you as their Dad. I love you!
Melissa Arlena is an award winning lifestyle newborn photographer in Charlottesville and Richmond, Virginia who has earned her Master Photographer Certification from NAPCP in maternity, newborn and family photography. Her natural and simple work has been featured in magazines and online blogs worldwide. She has been named Best Maternity and Newborn Photographer in Richmond and Charlottesville, VA in 2023.
