One

Playing in the NYC Sprinklers

My first born son is turning one on Sunday. I can't believe it. Time flies under normal circumstances, but when you factor in your own children it seems to rocket by. One year ago tonight Allison and I were eating mexican food at La Cocina and then going to see the late showing of "Mean Girls". By this point we never thought Allison was going to go into labor so we decided to stay out and have a good time. Little did we know that next morning we be staring face to face with our greatest blessing in life.

I can remember him as just a tiny baby, and how impossible it seemed that he could ever sit up let a lone walk. But at nine months he showed us just how capable he was, and he has been running ever since. These past twelve months have been the happiest and tiredest I have ever been. It hasn't always been easy, but it's always been worth it. We are indebted to all of Levi's family, friends, and neighbors who have been with us this past year as we have tried to figure out how to do this thing called "parenting". Your love, support, and encouragment has ment everything to us and we could not have done it without you. Every child deserves to enter this world loved as much as Levi is. It has been my profound sadness to realize this isn't the case - forgive us LORD.

Allison and I marvel at the fearfully and wonderfully made blessing that greets us each morning. We are humbled to have a healthy, happy, energetic, and loving baby boy. His energy is impressive and wears us both out, but his curiosity and love for life keeps us in awe everyday. It's hard to even pray for him sometimes because our love is so deep and so primal that words fail to express our true feelings. But we know that God watches over Levi and knows his needs. We take our refuge in that.

Levi, I am not worthy to be your father, but I am wholly grateful to call you my son. You fill me with goodness, love, and hope each day. You have revealed God to me in ways that I will never forget. I want you to know that I love your mother and cherish her above all others and I will not leave either of you. My love for you will never fail. As you grow and learn I will be there to keep you safe, to let you fall, and to pick you up time and time again. You are unique , in the history of creation there has never been anyone like you. God knows you even better than I do, and he loves you. But I suspect you already know that...I will try to not let you forget.

I love you son - Happy Birthday

Your Dad.