Happy Friday!

I’m so excited for this weekend for many reasons, but mostly to give Anel a lot of extra love on his very first Father’s Day to show him how much we appreciate him as a dad and husband.

Anel isn’t featured on my blog often because he’s a much more private person than I am so I respect that and give him a low profile. But what isn’t shown here or on Instagram is how amazing and understanding he is as a husband and how involved he has been as a father from day one.

In our first weeks at home with Amalia, I was an emotional and hormonal wreck, but Anel took off two weeks from work and did so much more than I ever could have imagined. At one point he said to me that I was literally sustaining her life by breastfeeding and that was my only job. I mean, dream boat, am I right?

The first few times we gave her a bath, I was so scared that I would hurt her, so he did it and eventually taught me his ways as soon as I felt safe. He was patient and calm and kind and so gentle with our tiny little peanut.

I remember our night nurse watching him with Amalia on the baby monitor and saying to me, “I’ve worked with every kind of family, and I’ve never seen a dad like Anel. He’s a special one.” She’s right. He’s special and we’re so lucky to have him.

Amalia obviously can’t talk yet (unless you count “car”, “bubbles”, and “uh oh”) so I wrote a little letter to our favorite guy “from her” with the words that I imagine she would use if she could speak.

Dear Daddy,

Your first Father’s Day is this weekend, so I wanted to tell you how much I love you. I’m pretty sure you’re the best daddy in the whole wide world! Here are just a few of the many things that I love about you.

I love when you sing me made up songs, even though mommy says you can’t hold a tune.

I love when you make me laugh so hard that my belly hurts, and I love when you pick me up from day care and make all of my friends laugh too.

I love how you can make anything, even doing the laundry, into a game.

I love when you tickle me and when we play hide and seek.

I love how you come home early when you can to put me to bed.

I love when you give me bites of your treats when mommy isn’t looking.

I love how you’re always down for an adventure.

I love our Sunday mornings when you take me to the diner for breakfast. I wonder if mommy knows that we eat pancakes… (Editor’s note: She does.)

I love how much you love me.

I love you so much, dada.

Love,
Amalia

Amalia’s Bubble / Anel’s Polo

Photos by Julia D’Agostino.