Becoming a mom was absolutely life-changing. The feeling that consumed my entire being happened in an indescribable flash. The unrelenting love and acknowledgement that I was now in charge of someone's whole life (now TWO) was better than I could have ever dreamt of. And everyone told me that it would happen. But what I didn't expect was how different I would look at my husband.
Marc and I grew up together. We were only 14 when our hearts were drawn to one another. I knew him once as this wild, carefree boy. And after so many years, I've seen him become this man with the weight of our family's responsibility hanging heavy on his shoulders. The work that he's doing mattering to ALL of us. And even more so, the work of fatherhood that he has taken on.
He began from the very start - talking to our children as they grew in my belly and rubbing my stomach as they kicked. I knew that my husband was a bit of a softie, but I didn't realize just how much until I got pregnant (especially with his little girl). Although he wouldn't let any of you know that. But I don't think it was until the moment that I saw him hold our son, freshly born from my still-sore body that a new love swelled inside of me. The kind in which I felt this innate knowledge that he would do anything for us. I realized - this is it, for life, and it changed me and my marriage forever. And as our family has grown, that has only intensified.
Now, in the chaos of our lives, between the laundry, dishes, cooking, and cleaning, I sometimes forget that initial shock of love. I've fallen into the stereotype of the tired mother, grumpy wife, and don't-touch-me-tonight lover. But when I take the time to pause and see my husband, I watch him as the father he is and it is pure magic!
I've watched my son climb all over him after he's chased him around the house. I've watched him sit down to play cars and have impromptu music jam sessions. I've watched him teach our son how to bowl for the first time. I've watched my kids completely gravitate towards him the very minute he walks in from work. I've watched them giggle as he bounced them around, made them fly, or tickle their bellies. I've watched his face when my son say "dada" for the first time or both of my kids laugh for the first time. I've watched him go to the pumpkin patch or to amusement parks just even though he didn't want to because wanted to be apart of all their experiences. I've watched him stay up all night at the hospital with our son and still go to work in the morning. I've watched as he cuddled them while their sick and lay down with them because they couldn't sleep. Because he's always been there just as they needed him to be.
Most of all, I've watched my heart fill with even more love for the man that I married. And I am grateful for the time he sets aside for all of us. Because I know how much he longs for the opportunity to just unwind and relax after a long day of work or on his days off. He's never had a dad to look up to, but he's definitely making sure that his kids do. And I cannot wait to keep watching him with my heart gleaming full of happiness to see my husband continuing to grow into an amazing father.
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