I blinked: You’ve grown up too fast!

Dear Julia,

I blinked, and the other day I took this picture of you. I was scared because in what feels like just a few seconds, almost 4 years have gone by.

I can’t believe that, you’re going to turn 4 soon. I have meant to keep up with this father to daughter diary to you. A journal to share what it’s like to be your dad.

Unfortunately, life has changed a lot in recent years, and I sadly didn’t take on this project for you as much as I should have, or wanted to. Being your father is a blur, and it’s going by so fast.

But now I realize it’s going by much faster than I would like, and I think, I hope Dear Julia Rose will end up being something that I can share with you later in your life proudly. Because it’s the biggest privilege of my life to be your father.

Going forward, I’m making a promise to myself and to you to make the time to journal what it’s like to be your father on a regular basis. I hope to share events that we go to, activities we share, thoughts that come to mind as your dad, and much more.

Some of what I will share will be cheesy, and goofy, because that is who your father is. You’ll get to know those side of me more and more as you grow up. Some will be more to document cool parts of your life with you, from my vantage point. And some will just be letters I want to write to you at times to let you know how it’s going being your dad.

Julia, most of all, I just want to let you know that life is not always easy. And I want to apologize that I haven’t worked on this diary more. I have been doing everything I can do be a good dad and to become a father you can be proud of.

You will go through times in your life when you will probably pull different meanings from what I share with you. During different stages of your life, I can foresee you finding different types of love here, and I hope that in the end, you know exactly that, how much I love you.

Right now being your dad is one of best things I have going for me. Getting to be a part of your life, and do everything I can to hear that belly laugh of yours, is a true pleasure. And a mission of mine is to make as many of those belly laughs possible.

But also know that no matter what, I will always be there for you. For when belly laughs aren’t happening, life can be challenging at times. And when it does throw you a curveball, dad will be right by your side. Don’t ever hesitate to tell me anything, because I always want to be there to help, and I hope you one day see a father you can always count on to be there for you.

I love you Julia.

Daddy