Eight years ago tonight, my life forever changed—for the better. I wept as I stood in the delivery room at Mary Washington Hospital. Warm tears streaked down my cheeks. My heart erupted with deep gratitude and awe. A tiny naked baby wailed on the table. The lamp overhead warmed her tiny squirming body. And the wailing continued. Undaunted, the nurse persisted in her routine.
I inched up closer and closer until my head was within two feet of my newborn daughter.
“Simone, this is your daddy,” I called out quietly, but assertively. “Daddy loves his little Simone.”
Suddenly she hushed. The flailing arms stilled as silence subdued this holy moment. Simone looked up over her head in the direction of my voice as if she recognized that voice. It was a poignant moment that I will never forget. It brought so much pleasure (and tears) to see my daughter recognize the sound of my voice.
For months I spoke every night to her while she was in her mommy’s tummy. I sang to her. I blessed her. I prayed for her. As her daddy, my heart was filled to the brim with love.
Happy birthday Simone! I love you dearly simply because you are my daughter. Nothing will change that. I will always be your daddy here during our time together. And it is my prayer that I will be able to reflect the true nature of our Heavenly Father so that you may know His love intimately. I love you.
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