Our stay

I loved you before them.

But with them between us now, I love you even more.

Because we have been through so much together since them, because of them, with them.

Because while parenthood has tested our love, it has shown us a new love worth working for.

Because you show up for me, and them, and you never leave when pushed.

You stay.

You have always stayed.

You are the stay of us, our family.

You have seen me at my worst, my weakest, my most challenging of moments and tiredness of years.

Of pregnancies,

Of births,

Of postpartum.

Yet you hold my hand even tighter.

And you have worn my hard days.

Just as you wear them.

On your chest.

On your shoulders.

On your heart.

You carry them too, and relish in the weight of all that they are.

You have been there with me, in moments of them needing me, because I needed someone too.

Holding me, while I hold them.

Feeding me, while I feed them.

Consoling me, while I console them.

You have been my someone when I feel like everyone.

And you make their smiles shine even brighter, the only way you know how. Your own way.

With your jokes.

And your play.

And all the things I don’t have the energy for by 5pm.

You are why they don’t want to go to bed.

And why the weekends can’t come fast enough.

You are their light.

Just as you have always have been mine.

But as a dad you shine even brighter.