Letter I wrote at hospital while Luana was in labor.

April 19, 2021

Dear Baby,

Welcome. I look forward to meeting you.

Is that the right way to address a newborn baby? What’s the right thing to say?

This is probably a very good time to be born. We’re on our way out of a particularly nasty pandemic (you’ll learn more about 2020 in your history books, or blogs, or however you’ll learn history in the future), but the world is relatively peaceful, and we continue expanding the frontiers of technological progress. Today, we flew a helicopter on mars. – It has been less than 120 years since people have been flying at all, and today we just buzzed around another planet. Life is full of daily miracles, and kindness is still a widely held virtue. 

The most recent global shock was a boat got stuck sideways in a canal, briefly halting international trade. Most of the world responded by making funny pictures. After a week, the boat was refloated and pulled out with the help of some tugboats. If there’s a big idea there, I guess it’s that when you see a problem I hope you’ll be a tugboat instead of someone who stands around and does nothing.

I don’t know what else to tell you. I love you. Even if we still haven’t met. Even if you still haven’t been named. You are precious to me and your mommy. 

You should know that we have another son. His name is Calvin. He is almost 2 now. You will love each other in time. I’m sure there will certainly be an adjustment period – your mommy and I have never raised two children before. We’ll figure it out though. There was a time when we had never raised one child before, and we’re doing pretty good so far. 

There are so many things I want to teach you. About love and honesty and emotions and hard work and kindness.

We’ll have lots of time for that.

Right now, I just want you to be warm and healthy. I want you to know you are loved unconditionally. I want you to know how much joy the mere thought of your existence brings your mommy and me.

Very much looking forward to you getting unstuck from your canal,

Regards,
Daddy