Soon it is my little girl’s birthday. She’s 7 years old. Lordy lordy, how time flies.
I’ve talked every year about the Small One and I am not sure what to add, except that if you read that stuff, it’s like that, but more. The love I have for this little kid is simply beyond my capacity to describe.
This year I got to take my princess to California, where we simply drove around and saw awesome things and did awesome things, together. Oh, we saw some sights - the Monterey Bay aquarium, Santa Cruz, wild sea lions, the Golden Gate, stuff like that. IT was a pretty light week tho. One day we just laid around playing video games and we spent a lot of time just driving. But what pure fun we had just being together. Being together with my Small One, well, I can think of nothing better.
By virtue of being divorced, I spend exactly 50% of my free time with Maddy. The other 50% I don’t, and the loneliness I feel when I’m home without her is so crushing it’s indescribable. So I keep busy on those nights; I hardly ever stay in. I do standup comedy, as many of you may know; I play softball. I see friends. When I’m out making people laugh or playing ball I feel great. But as wonderful as it is - and comedy, especially, is a joy to me - tonight, where Maddy and I just hanged around the living room, playing with her birthday toys and video games, laughing and joking and eating grilled cheese sandwiches, was better. She’s quite simply a joy beyond my wildest dreams. Sh’e a delightful, kind, considerate, friendly, gentle little girl. She’s smart and interesting and creative. And she loves me. How could I ask for more?
Love to read this! And I hope you’re writing it down for her somewhere - maybe letters to give to her when she’s 18, or when she gets married? My dad passed away last year, and I’m glad I have some birthday cards and things like that to remember his handwriting and his great sense of humor and his love for me.
You, sir, are a GREAT FATHER!
Be proud of Maddy and of yourself.
A girl needs her father, and you are there for her when you can be.
I am certain she knows you love her and that is all anyone can ask.
Reading my OP I made it sound like she spends less of her time with me than she does. She spends half her time with me, not just half my “free time.” Just clearing that up.
Ain’t it the truth. I don’t have kids but I have nieces and a nephew. I wrote a song and dedicated it to my niece mere hours after she was born. Now I’m re-recording it so it can be played…
My small girl turned 16 (youngest of 3) a couple weeks ago. She’s not so small, anymore.
I’m happy to hear of your happiness.
Cherish Small One whilst small she still be, as the teen years bring about emotional and attitude changes that are sometimes difficult to fathom, and largely unexplainable.
So true. When my daughter was 7 she wanted to go ANYWHERE with me and spend time with me. So, I was the one driving to skating, and swimming and sometimes dance, and she came with me to get groceries and we had a blast.
Well, she’s almost 15 now and spends most time in her bedroom doing homework, or listening to music, or on Facebook, etc. She’ll only be seen with me when there’s something in it for her. It’s funny how the relationship changes.
I mean, we get along fine, but the days of being thrilled to be with daddy are gone. They slipped away when I wasn’t looking.
Enjoy every moment of this age RickJay. As much as you don’t think things will ever change, they will. It’s normal.
I’ll state first that I have no children. But RickJay, after hearing your comments, I’ll add that, on occasion, I regret that a little bit. I’m glad to hear of your day with your daughter, and you seem like a great Dad. I’ll look forward to following your daughter’s progress as she grows up.
Happy birthday to your little girl. My daughter is 14 months old and before she arrived I didn’t know it was possible to feel that much love for one person. I’m torn between wanting her to grow up so we can talk and hang out and do cool stuff together, and wanting her to stay as an adorable baby who says “Dada” and lights up the room with a four-toothed smile when I walk in. (She says “Dada” at her mother, her toy cat and the fridge too, just in case I start to feel too special.)
Seven sounds a good age. We’ll have fun when she’s seven. Fifteen I’m not looking forward to so much, especially as I’ll be almost 50 by then.
My small boy turns 3 in a couple of months. He can be maddening one minute, enchanting the next. It’s so wonderful to see him grow up. He can talk now, but can’t quite say full, grammatical sentences. But he gets his interests across: “I hear BART train!” “Like it the tricycle!”
My girls are now 13 and 11. They still want time with me sporadically but definitely the Daddy’s Little Girl phase is long gone for them. It really is like the blink of an eye. I can still imagine turning a corner to see them at 8 and 6 years old.
Best wishes from an old tart in Australia…if you ever come downunder, I’ll have a pressie for your seventh birthday anniversary!! Just give me warning, OK??
