Gotta Love Your Pops

Hey Peanut,
I was just thinking today of all the ways I love your Daddy. Our fourth wedding anniversary is just around the corner. To me, he is still young and hilarious and wonderful, but I am sure you will eventually see him as old and out of touch. (I'm in denial about that happening to me, by the way.) So I thought I would permanently put out there some things that I hope you will see and appreciate in him. I chose to marry your dad for his heart and personality because everything else will change with time. Money, looks, circumstances can all change for someone. But the things I love about him will always be there.

First of all, your dad is funny. He is so quick-witted and loves to make people laugh. Of course, he often tells the same bad jokes over and over again, but sometimes he will say something out of the blue that just kills me. He loves to poke fun at me and probably will do the same with you.

He is so disgustingly good at things. He is a natural at most sports and totally loses interest if he thinks he can't win at something. He will probably push you to compete in all kinds of things and might get frustrated if you don't pick things up right away. Hopefully your dad will do a better job teaching you to ski than he did with me! But he always wants to be busy, be active. Our family vacations will be exhausting if he plans them. Your mom will want to relax, go to museums, read books, and he will be dragging you off for a horseback ride through the jungle!

But he is very giving. His favorite thing is to have a party at our house. He is a great cook and loves to make people feel welcome and comfortable. He has lots of friends, but keeps just a handful close to him. And for those friends, he would do anything. He is so happy to be helpful and feel appreciated, and even more so when he knows that person can't return the favor. He has been blessed with great friends and I know he will teach you to be one too.

Your dad and I are smart in completely opposite ways. I love books and writing and complicated movies. Your dad can watch sports all day long (while spouting stats and facts about where the players went to elementary school) and hates when I ignore him with a book. But he is great at math and science and will have to be the one to help with that homework. You need help with English, come to your old mom!

My dad once told me that I didn't really appreciate my parents until I didn't live with them anymore, and it's totally true. But just like I did, I hope there will come a time when you realize that we used to be young and fun and interesting. We will eventually want to come spend the weekend with you and your significant other. And hopefully you will see a glimpse of this 27-year-old version of your dad. Because I promise it is amazing.