Enough for us.

Dear Zachary,

Today, when I picked you up from preschool, you were excited to show me two neatly wrapped holiday gifts. You explained that one was for you, and one was for me.  Your teachers had made something for you, and put it in a neat little bag. You told me that you were the one that made my gift.

We worked our way through the cold wind, and to the car. It was already getting dark, and the wind had picked up. I told you I was ready for winter to be over, and you agreed. We had some errands to run, and we stopped at the store. You waited patiently while I returned a few things that I had purchased a few days before.

It was finally time to head home, and you were glad. You wanted pizza for dinner, and I told you that would be okay. Then you said, "Dad, I can't wait for you to open your present." I told you that I was excited, too. Then I asked, "Do you want me to open my present now, or do you want me to put it under the tree?" You said, "I think you should put it under the tree."

Then, just teasing you, I asked, "So, when we get home do you want to open your present now or do you want to put it under the tree, too?" I was pretty sure I knew how you were going to answer that one! But, you surprised me. Then you said, "I want to put mine under the tree, too."

I was not expecting you to want to wait to open a present, so I asked you why you wanted to wait. And the next thing you remarked was so sweet....

"Well, we need to put our presents under the tree so that Santa will know that we already have two presents. That way, he can make sure all the kids get enough."

You're my four year old little boy who is already developing empathy and care for those who have less than you. It's another reason why you're my son, and my hero.

Love,
Dad

Topsy, the Magic Elf

Dear Zachary,

Today we celebrated a quiet Thanksgiving together. A few days ago, I reminded you that "Topsy" the magic Elf on the Shelf would come to visit us on Thanksgiving night.

I wasn't sure if you would remember Topsy from last year, but you certainly did. You were excited all day for Topsy to come and visit, and asked me many times when he would arrive.

We played with your new "marble run" toy you got as a gift from our adoption reception. We played almost all afternoon. And, without a nap today, you got sleepy, early. You told me today that you wanted to do something nice for Topsy, and decided that you would find some toys for him that you didn't want anymore so that he would have something to play with.

As you sorted through your toys, I could tell there were a few things that you just couldn't part with, even for Topsy. But finally, you settled on some stacking cups that you've had for awhile and a little toy car.

"Do you think he will like these, dad?", you asked me with concern. I told you I thought they were perfect. And you smiled.

It was soon after that the door bell rang, and you came running up the stairs with excitement, knowing that Topsy had arrived. You were so excited to see him, and after we read the book, you rushed downstairs to get him the toys for your collection that you set aside especially for him.

You put the toys next to Topsy and smiled, then you said, 'I got these toys for you to play with while you're here."

You're quite attached to all your toys, but you were willing to share them with a magic Christmas Elf. It's another reason why you're my son, and my hero.

Love,
Dad

Dear Zachary,

Today, you had your annual check-ups at both the eye doctor and the dentist. Because Dad didn't know quite how long it would take to get there, we were 20 minutes early. Despite that you had nothing to do, you played quietly the whole time with your Batman toy....the only thing we had with us. You waited patiently while I completed paperwork.

When we got to the first doctor, you read the letters on the chart without any problems. When the nurse got to the part of the exam when they blow air into your eyes, I was almost sure you'd freak out. Instead, you did better than dad does with that! You even let them dilate your eyes and didn't conplain at all. Both the doctor and his assistant said how well-behaved you were and that you did better than even some of the older kids they see.

Then, it was time for the dentist. They took x-Rays of your teeth without any problems- even though the whole time another little boy probably at least your age or maybe older was clearly pretty scared in the next room over! Then, when it was time to clean your teeth, you sat still like you had done it a million times before. Finally, when the dentist's assistant wanted to floss your teeth, you said, "Let me try" and took the flosser right out of her hand and insisted on flossing your own teeth. And, you did a great job for your first try.

While waiting for the dentist, you and I talked about the prize you got from the eye doctor and played quietly while we waited our turn. There were several kids that were very scared, and you just waited patiently without one ounce of fear or hesitation. When the dentist finally got to us, you didn't like her blowing air on your teeth, but you let her do it anyway. She seemed busy and wasn't very patient with you, so that probably didn't help.

After we were done,  the dentist's assistant said that you were one of the very best kids your age that they had seen in a long time, and that her job would be easy if everyone was as well-behaved as you.

So, you're only four, and you're not afraid of the dentist or the eye doctor. It is another reason why you're my hero. It's easy to be your dad. I love you.


Love,

Dad

Dear Zachary,

You looked so cute in your Halloween costume. People would ask you who you were, and you'd say, "Plex, the robot." We found out pretty quickly that not many people are Yo Gabba Gabba fans. That's okay... because I knew what you meant.

Halloween was cold this year, and you earned every piece of candy that your cold little hands could carry. The next morning, you wanted to eat some candy with your breakfast, and I told you, "Okay, just this one time." And you were so excited because I was pretty sure you thought I'd say no.

When I told you that you could only have two pieces, you held out your hand and said, "Here Dad, I'll share with you."

That's my boy. The four year old that wants to share his candy with his dad. Another reason why you're my hero.

I love you.

Dad

Adoption is a Promise

Dear Zachary,

Adoption is a promise.

To have and to hold from this day forward...
I will always be on your team, in your corner, cheering you on. Today I make a promise that I will be the best parent I know how to be for you.

For better or for worse....
In rejection, in pain, in sleepless nights, and fun cartoon mornings. In victories won, and battles lost, I will always be your Daddy.

For richer or poorer... 
If I lose my job, or become a millionaire, I will always take care of you.

In sickness and in health... 
With tummy aches, and scraped up knees, to everything in between, and even in the thick of stomach flu or something even worse, nothing will make me walk away.

To love and cherish....
My heart is on the line. I promise to be present both physically and emotionally to you and to give you just as many hugs and kisses as you need, plus a few extra.

Till death do us part... 
This is for life. Yours and mine. Whichever, ends first, I am in it for the long haul. And even after you leave the nest, you'll always have a place to call home.

I love you, my dear sweet boy.

Love,
Dad

Funny when one journey ends, A new one begins.

I met my son September 10, 2013. He came to my home as a foster child, and I immediately knew that Zach was the child I needed to adopt.

Many people say that Zach is so lucky to have me. And that always confuses me. I didn't find Zachary, he found me. He has been through more trauma in his short little life of only four years... more than most experience in their whole life. I am lucky that he has decided to let me be his dad. And for that, he is my hero.

I want to have something for Zach that he can read and look at when he gets older.. something that archives his childhood. So, I decided to start this blog, so that someday, he can read it and know how much his daddy loves him.

In just a few short weeks, Zach's adoption will be final. And with the end of that journey begins another one... the journey of our time together as father and son. I can't wait to see what happens next!

Love,
Dad