A year of amazing women

One year ago today, my daughter was born. In fact, at around this point in the morning, they wheeled my recovering wife away and left me alone with a brand new baby. A year ago exactly, we were sitting alone in a delivery room, gawking at each other and wondering “Well, what now?”

It’s an understatement to say it’s been a big year, and although it’s been full of challenges, it’s been the best year of my life. Getting to know my daughter has been a pleasure; I’ve loved her from the start, of course, but I’ve also come to like her more and more each day.

Then there’s my wife, who jokingly asked why we’re celebrating my daughter today when she did all the work. She makes a good point, but she doesn’t really go far enough. I’ve gotten to know my wife in a whole new way throughout our first year of parenting together, and she never fails to impress me. She’s as tough and determined as she is nurturing and compassionate, and I’m very lucky indeed to be her partner in all this.

Not sappy enough for you yet? Well, today is also my mother’s birthday. We’re celebrating both as a family today, and I personally couldn’t be happier. I have two great parents, who became two great models of parenting when my daughter came along. If I end up doing a good job with this kid, I’ll have my parents and my wife to thank for showing me the way.

By the way, as if that weren’t enough, today would have also been the day Rosa Parks celebrated her hundredth birthday. She didn’t have as much of a personal impact on me as any of the women in my family, but she certainly was a courageous woman and a catalyst in America’s civil rights movement. Everyone can enjoy that!

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