charlie 1.0

Dear Charlie,

One year ago, you burst into this world after a hurricane and by the light of a Super Harvest Moon on the first day of Autumn - how's that for an auspicious entrance? When you arrived it was different. When you came, we knew what this screaming baby would become and we couldn't wait to just add milk and find out. You completed our set. You are a happy baby and draw strangers to you. Your Baby Jail says you are the easiest kid in the world (although, some days and nights, we can offer substantial counter evidence). You are very tolerant of your sister's sometimes violent affection for you. You love pulling yourself to stand, gripping our outstretched index fingers with you miniature hands. You have a great smile. You laugh a lot and make us laugh. You are keen and focused and can play by yourself for ages. You play with wheels. You are absolutely mad for any kind of music and can stop yourself from boogying back and forth. You even danced to the different beeps the phone makes when I call a number. I want to keep you this happy. I never want you to lose the ability to dance just the way you want to and just because you want to. I want you to make the most of everything. I want you to do things that terrify you and show yourself you how much you can do.

I was scared of being a father to a boy. Scared I wouldn't be a good enough Dad. I don't watch sports. The strongest beer you'll find me drinking is a Corona and lime. Your mum knows a lot more about cars than me. I'm still not 100% sure how to bbq well. But I have other skills. Other things I can teach you. I can teach you your first chords on the guitar (unless your sister beats me to it). I can take you on elaborate adventures through Tom Moore's where goblins and pirates still exist in my head. I can teach you how to tell a joke (although, you'll probably think I'm lame when I do). I can raise you among some of the most extraordinary people I've every met. I can do my very best to show you how to seize the day. I will throw the ball around with you and your sister on a Sunday afternoon. I will help you do your homework. I will be there when life gets scary. I will be there when life is great. I will spend every day making sure I am the kind of man who can make you guys proud. I love you, kiddo. Thanks for sticking around.