One Dozen

Honestly! I'm not a basket case as I write this. This date has been coming for quite some time and I feel quite prepared. It has taunted me as I've frequently passed by the calendar for the New Year but my strength endured. You! January 2nd, 2009! You will not make me lose my ability to walk only to find myself in the fetal position sucking my thumb while sobbing in the darkness. Nay! I celebrate this day! The day my first born turns twelve as the countdown to teenager begins.

So I lie.

For the most part this has been a Daddy/Daughter Day. At the moment Jessie and about seven friends are at a local ice-skating rink having a party. Later tonight they will depart for my mom's (oh, to have the coolest grandmother on the planet) for a spend-the-night-party in her garage apartment. About an hour ago I saw games, cameras, DVDs, and a shiny brand-new iPod go out the door. The best part? Joan is chaperon! Certainly I got the best end of the deal. Father & Son Evening...on the couch...watching football.

Like I said I got the best slice of the party. Jess and I went shopping for the iPod she wanted and despite the traffic still in a holiday frenzy we had a great time together. After 12 years I can still make her laugh even without tickling her. After ogling her new MP3 player we then had a lunch date at Applebee's to discuss our personal birthday dinner tomorrow night. Funny how much things haven't changed that much over the past 12 years.

Jessie was due just before Christmas in 1996. "Mama's Accessory" held on as long as she could, arriving via C-Section on this date in 1997. Some of you moms will scoff at Joan for what I'm about to say but I was the first to change her diaper. I was also the first to feed her. Those two events are at the top of the list of Best Things That Ever Happened To Me!

My lovely wife embarrasses me about my wimpiness. Just say I'm a typical male when it comes to pain, blood, or illness. Joan endures pain like a damn Spartan so I knew the laboring prior to the surgery was pretty intense and she needed that recovery during Jessie's first few hours with us. The unexpected gift for me was that first afternoon of Jessie's life was spent in my arms. I certainly hate it for Joan...like I hate it that she'll be up until the late morning hours of January 3, 2009. Maybe at 4 in the morning while 7 girls are squealing with glee she'll keep in mind we both share the best daughter in the world (sorry...votes have been cast...Jessie won).

So Jessie is now twelve. I think I'll go and lay on the couch in a fetal position. I'll take Ben with me because he will still want to watch Sponge Bob while I monitor that strange twitch in my eye...the one that makes it water so unusually....the one that will keep the sharpest vision out in protecting The Best Daughter Ever the next 12 months.

Jessie's Christening Dress - May 1997

Our little sunshine - August 0f 1997

First family portrait - Christmas Day 1999

What Shall I Order? - Kiawah Island, SC - Summer 1999

Laughter - these two have a connection that is Holy.

The Christmas Fairy - 2002

My favorite Furman Paladins! September 2004

One of the loves of my life. I would die for you, Jessie. I love you to the moon and back...even further.