I do see the importance of it and I rather enjoy capturing my thoughts from today just for her. A snapshot in time and never know the time/place/goings on when she actually reads the email allows me to sort of remind her or reinforce how I feel about her.
I think more of this has come about because Zelda is now home. Zelda is less than 2 weeks old, and while I love her a lot, it is currently in a different way because she cannot react to her dear old dad just yet.
So these little ladies have me thinking a lot about being a role model. I actually have a lot of this in my job but I am speaking specifically to my girls.
I have heard that women end up looking for men that remind them of their Dad, for better or worse. So if their Dad was abusive, it's likely they will end up in an abusive relationship and if their Dad is funny, maybe they look for a good sense of humor. So on and so forth. And that is one of the many reasons why no matter what I have going on, I have to be a great dad. Although I know I fail on many counts everyday.
So here is a little bit about me and my jobs. I impact the lives of countless employees every day because I am a literal coach. People try to model their behavior after mine and that is a heavy sense of responsibility.
I am also a cook, I am responsible for making sure my kids eat. I have a lot of other roles as well and each varies in it's importance in my kids lives and in others lives. I am a husband, a father, a cab driver, a teacher, a maid, Mr. Fixit, a principal, a diaper changer, etc.
But I want to tell all of you (and remind my future self) of what my favorite thing to be is. See, right now my favorite thing to be is a couch. For those of you with kids, you know how you end up being various pieces of furniture to those kids.
Alera and I are no exception. The other day she was tired after waking up from her nap. She just wanted to lay on Dad. And then she ended up napping on top of me while I napped. I have wanted that to happen (because I see that is what Dads do) since we brought her home.
She leans against me in bed and uses whatever part of me suits her as a back rest. Sometimes she leans against my shoulder, sometimes my thigh, heck she even leans against my face to keep herself held up. As of today, being her couch is my favorite role. Which is sort of odd because it might be the thing that requires the least amount of skill. It doesn't require my MBA. Not a lot of experience required. No technical skills. It just requires that I am there and around.
Moreover, Alera can be fickle at times and not really be all that forthcoming with affection. So I will take it how I can get it. Her literally leaning on me. As I know she will hopefully do so in the future as well.
I think it will also keep me humble too. Think you are a big deal? Remember that to your toddler you are just a couch.
Cheers!
-Mitch