It's Father's day, so I figured I would write about the day it all began. I have a five-year-old son, Grant, and a 6 –year-old daughter. Here are some pictures from the day Madeline arrived...

Snapshot 1 :: I was ready
I was prepared. I had gone to class to learn about all of this. I knew how to help Jenn breathe. I knew how to do the “burrito wrap”. I went to “Daddy Boot Camp” class. Heck, I even went to a breastfeeding class – really, I did.

We arrive at the hospital early morning so they can begin to induce Jenn. I have with me, my bag of awesomeness. In my bag are all the things that will make me the best husband of all time.

Side note: The bag is huge.

I have two hand-held fans to cool her off.

I have movies to watch while we’re waiting (I still don’t know why Shrek wasn’t a good choice. We hadn’t seen it yet. Mmm.). And the granddaddy of greatness – a boom box with a soothing waterfall CD to listen to while she is pushing away. I told you it was a bag of awesomeness.

Fast forward to labor time. At just the right moment, I walk over and push play on the magic husband machine and soon we hear the quiet rushing of water. Ahhhh. And as I’m waiting for Jenn to reach over and squeeze my hand or put some sort of medal around my neck – something horrible happens. Coming in behind the sound of the beautiful waterfall is – a – TRUMPET playing patriotic songs!! Are you kidding me??? Where did this come from? Who has sabotaged MY DAY?

Jenn was not pleased. Before I could get over to hit stop, she looks calmly at me and through her teeth says, “turn - that - off”.

“Yes dear……wanna watch Shrek?”

Snapshot 2 :: Mom’s are heroes
Jenn was in actual “pushing” labor for 3 hours. We were there much longer than that, but she was active for 3 hours. That is about as long as they let you go before doing a c-section. It was during these three hours that my love and respect for Jenn grew in brand new ways.

I don’t think I’ve ever, in my life, seen another person so completely at the end of themselves. The pain, exhaustion and emotional fatigue seemed like they were literally going to wipe her out. And then she would push again. And again. And again.

They told her she had one more push and they would have to do a c-section. One more.

She did it.

Snapshot 3 :: I am small
After about 2 hours and 45 minutes, the doctor announced that she could see Maddie’s head. I remember thinking, “in just a few minutes there is going to be another human being on this Earth. God is here. He had breathed life into a new person…and I'm going to meet her...”

I felt so small, so privileged just to get to even be in the room. It felt like Jenn and God were experiencing something so special, so beautiful together – and I was but a witness.

It’s hard for me to imagine how someone can go through the birth of a child and not know there is something bigger than us out there.

Snapshot 4 :: marriage
I laid down to sleep that night in the hospital chair/bed re-playing the events of the day. Thinking of Jenn…the labor….the doctors….family being there…..Madeline getting married….

WHAT??? (sound of record scratching here)

Yes - I did it. I’m laying there enjoying memories of one of the best days of my life and all of a sudden I begin picturing Madeline walking down the isle as a full grown woman. This is not ok. First of all, she’s not allowed to get married. Second of all, that boy, whoever he is, is not good enough for her. How will he ever love her as much as me? Who is he anyway…and who does he think he is? Does he have a job? Did he even ask me if he could marry Madeline? No, wait, did he even ask to court her? Yes, there won’t be any dating, only courting – at MY HOUSE…

You see? It’s a sickness. And I caught it that night.

Snapshot 5 :: The beautiful quiet
I eventually got myself together somehow and about that time Jenn and Maddie had woken up. It was time for a midnight snack.

The room was so quiet. I sat by the bed while Jenn held our treasure. It was peaceful and set apart. We looked at each other in a new way. Somehow God changed our love that night and it has never gone back. It’s hard to explain, but I loved Jenn more because she loved Madeline. And I barely knew this little girl, but would do anything for her.

After a while, I went back to my chair and slept soundly. I was full.

And this morning on Father’s Day - I woke up. And Madeline was six.