I didn’t realize it

I didn’t realize it.

But my life was about to change.

It was New Year’s Eve.

I owned a concert promotions business.

I was living a fast life.

But a few hours after the ball drop, I learned I was going to be a dad.

Emotions overcame me.

Was I ready?

Would I be able to provide for a child?

Does this mean I have to grow up?

Ready or not, 9 months later, Bianca was born.

I wish I could say it was love-at-first-sight.

I was happy.

But it was apparent that her mother had a different bond.

It felt like this for the first 6 months.

But as Bianca became more interactive, our bond grew.

And I grew, too.

Fatherhood taught me sacrifice.

When we’re only providing for ourselves, it can be easy to drift.

My concert promotions business was drifting.

I needed something stable.

So I closed it and went to work in biz dev at an agency.

Fatherhood taught me patience.

It’s easy to get frustrated.

But our kids don’t “make” us impatient.

I began studying mindfulness and how to control my response-ability.

Fatherhood taught me to value experiences.

I cherish memories of her first words, t-ball game, and even the Elf on the Shelf.

I know now it’s not about fast cars or flashy clothes.

And the insight led me to begin practicing minimalism.

Looking back, I was right.

Life was about to change.

But I never could have imagined how.

Today, I’m a much better person in a much better place.

Thank you, Bianca.

Love, Dad.