I was sitting here thinking of all of the things that I love about being a dad. The hugs, the countless drawings I have tucked away to embarrass them when they have kids, and the countless times that I have heard the words “daddy’s home!” when I have come in the front door.
I think back to a cool November day in 1992. I was a young new husband of almost a year, and here we were going to the doctor for my wife’s checkup on her due date. After a short time back with the doctor, my beautiful pregnant wife came out with a nervous smile on her face. She tells me “it’s time” and just like that we are walking (slowly) across the pavilion from the doctor’s office building to the hospital. We get her checked in and comfortable, I run to the car to get her things, and then the process begins. ( I forgot to mention that her water broke on the doctor’s examining table). So here we were, a couple of young people who just a few months earlier were stunned to hear that we were going to be parents, now in a labor/delivery room about to embark on a new chapter in our lives. As the labor increased, I saw something in this woman that I had fallen in love with and chosen to marry. I saw the most beautiful look on her face as she was pale and sweaty, and at times in immense pain. I saw a mother developing before my eyes. She was so focused at what was happening and I was standing around not sure what to do. As the time wore on and the pains came more frequently and more intense, and after my wife had an epidural, she was ready to have this baby.
As she was pushing, and at times throwing up from all of the stress that she was under, I began to see a little glimpse of a head that was appearing. It was becoming all so real at this point. As the nurses called for the doctor to come in, and seeing my wife in such pain and anguish it became like a slow motion movie in my mind as I think back. The doctor had to use forceps (salad spoons as we called them) to help pull this beautiful little baby girl from her mothers womb. I was standing there with the video camera rolling as my firstborn daughter was delivered right before my eyes. A beautiful bald little girl with a hint of red hair showing. She let out a cry that let me know that “hey you have now entered the realm of fatherhood.” As they took her to the scale to weigh her, clean her up and suction nastiness out of her nostrils, I stood amazed at this little person who was grabbing hold of my finger and forever changing my life. I continued to video as our daughter was placed into the arms of an eager mother. I watched as they began to bond instantly. Her eyes wide open and looking around at the world she had just entered to. I watched my wife cry with tears of joy looking at this miracle of life that she was holding in her arms. I didn’t know at the time, but my wife had prayed and prayed that she would be able to become a mother. She wasn’t sure if this was possible since her sister at the time had tried many times and wasn’t successful. So here we were, no longer a couple, but a family.
Now 23 years later, I look across the room at a young lady who has grown into a beautiful strong Christian woman. She is a college graduate now. She has grown from that bald baby girl, to a sweet curly redheaded girl who always was thinking of others more than herself, to an awkward teenager, to a responsible young adult who loves Jesus, loves life and is a hopeless romantic. I stand in amazement sometimes that the Lord would have let me be a part of this wonderful person who touches others. As I read some of the Facebook posts she received for her birthday yesterday, I see a selfless person who wants the world to see Jesus in her. I think of her unselfish attitude to take a year off from her schooling to come home and just “help” her mother around the house, and be there for her. You see that bond that I saw on that day 23 years ago is as strong today as it ever was. So on this day after her birthday I want to tell the world about this wonderful young lady that I will always see as my “little 4 year old”. Rebekah Elizabeth Hughes I love you. I am so very proud to be called your daddy. I pray that God will give you the desires of your heart as you continue to serve Him. So today…………….
For This I’m Thankful
For This I'm Thankful 