I was 13 years old when I got my first job as a dishwasher. Since then, I’ve worked countless different jobs. But being a dad is the best job I’ve ever had, hands down.
As far back as I can remember, I always knew I would love being a dad. I remember imagining what my kids would look like, sound like. To see it now is truly amazing. I look at Jude and Nolan and I see it all. I see me. I see Jessica, my wife. They’re both so perfect in every way; they’re my world.
The last [three] years have really changed who I am as a person. I see things a lot differently since my boys got here and I got to live out being a dad for real. I guess you could say I’ve grown up.
My son, Jude, recently asked his mom, ‘What’s the purpose of life?’ It’s a difficult question he heard on his favorite show, Blippi. I told him, ‘For me, the purpose of life is to make other people’s lives better.’
The day Jude was born was the best day of my life. It was also a pretty big day for Jude also. My wife and I were in the labor room (aka war zone) and things were, well, a little intense.
There’s a curtain. My wife and I on one side, Jude and the hospital staff on the other. I’m reassuring my wife that she’s doing a great job. And just as I think she might literally break my hand, I hear it. Jude’s first cry.
The nurses quickly rush him past us and over to the hot tray to get him warm. But he’s still crying. I see a nurse motion for me to come over. I kiss my wife and sprint across the room. I lean over him and whisper in his ear, ‘Hey buddy.’ Jude stops crying, reaches up, grabs my right index finger, opens his right eye, and we look at each other for the very first time.
These are our two boys now.
If you spent an entire day at our house, I think you’d quickly learn that comedy and music are a big part of our lives. I mean, Jude is named after a Beatles song after all.
Another big part of our lives is making videos together. It’s one thing I love about being a dad. From the day our sons were born, we’ve been documenting their lives. Every first word and first step, the camera was rolling.
It’s made it possible to capture special little moments like this.
The best part of this whole experience is sharing. That people are getting to see how awesome he really is. They’re even starting to watch Jude and Nolan’s other videos as well. I like to picture Jude and Nolan in 30 years, looking back at this time, knowing without a doubt that their mom and I truly loved them. That’s why these videos are so important.
But there’s also the unseen moments, too. Those incredible dad moments. A few months ago was one of them.
Jude starts pre-school next month. We’ve always tried our best to push him to be social. To say hi to people and not be afraid to try and make friends. So, when the boys and I walked down to a park near our house to find it completely empty, Jude looked a little disappointed (I think having Nolan with me also makes it more difficult to give Jude full attention).
