There is a new trend in society to film, and then publish on social media, nearly every important moment from our lives. Pregnancy announcements, birthday surprises, kindergarten graduation, first dance, first kiss, new drivers, pee wee sports teams, all things mission-related, wedding proposals, and the list goes on and on. I completely understand the desire to share all of these fun times of our lives, but for me - at least until I get old enough to lose my mind and forget everything - the best way to remember things is inside my mind. There are four memories in my adult life that are really defining moments for me:
- I remember the first time I saw my wife. If I close my eyes I can see where we were, what she was wearing, what her hair looked like, the other people in the room, and any number of other details. I do not claim to have known at that time that we would eventually get married but I was hopeful.
- The day we were married in the Jordan River Temple is locked in my mind as clearly as if it happened yesterday. It was a sunny, windy day in late March and I can recall the sealing room where we were surrounded by friends and family, both living and dead. "This [was] serious dogs!"
- A little over two years ago, after my mother had surgery to remove some cancer, I left work late one night and went to visit at the hospital. It was almost midnight and she was already sleeping but I took the time to sit in her room, hold her hand, and quietly listen to her breath. Breathing meant she was alive and that was all I cared about at that moment. Before I left the hospital that night, I kissed her gently on the forehead and whispered that I loved her. Little did I know that was the last time I would see her alive and I was rewarded with a tiny smile as I walked out of that room.
- After being married for about three years we decided we wanted to start a family. I figured all we had to do was stop all forms of birth control and we would be on our way. It was a little more difficult than that for us and one evening I came home see another home pregnancy test; it was time to test again and I was a little unenthusiastic. Waiting for the test was agonizing because I was excited at the prospect, but didn't want to get too excited. When she came out of the bathroom and announced she was pregnant and I didn't dare believe it. My exact words were, "you better not be tricking me". She still laughs about that today.
I call this blog "Favorite Daddy" not because I think I am the greatest or best father out there; I use that title simply because my wife calls me that. She thinks our children love her because they have to, and love me because they want to. I don't think that is true but I do know that being the dad is a lot of fun. I have made so many mistakes as a father and I am sure I will make many more. But just because you are not perfect at something, doesn't mean you can't love doing it!
