Daughter Should Be Like Daddy

Dear Layla,

March 1st was your Daddy's 28th birthday. I think he would have loved a new computer or a puppy as a present, but he got yellow cake with gooey chocolate icing instead. Oh well. Perhaps you and I can bake his favorite apple and chocolate chip cake for him next year. And yes, I will let you lick the spoon. All that stuff about E. Coli from raw eggs is garbage. I believe some greedy woman made that up so that she could lick the spoon and not have to share with her children.

I once forgot Daddy's birthday. Probably not in the sense that you are thinking though. We were meeting with our wedding photographers and they asked me to fill out some paperwork. One of the questions asked for Daddy's birthday. When I saw the question, my mind just went blank. I couldn't remember if it was March 1st or March 2nd. I literally just sat there and stared at the paper until a few tears started to roll down my cheeks. I was so embarrassed. Daddy still liked to tease me about it. Even the photographers teased me at the wedding.

Daddy is a great guy and the love of my life. I am certain that you and Daddy will be close. Sometimes when he comes home, he asks about you. He'll say, "How are my girls?" and kiss my ever growing belly. I can tell that he is just as excited to meet you as I am. And that makes me happy.

There are certain things that I hope you inherit from your Daddy. He is a wonderful man and great role-model. Here is my list of qualities and characteristics you should adopt to be Daddy-like.

* His love for my Mom's cooking - Daddy is a walking garbage disposal and can eat just about anything including gooey, soupy birthday cake icing. However, he gets super-excited to eat at my Mom's house. Her cooking is absolutely delicious and Daddy has never left a crumb after finishing a meal prepared by my Mom. You will send her over the moon if you enjoy her cooking even half as much.

* He always checks the mail - This my sound completely dumb, but I love it. I tend to forget to do the little things around the house, like checking the mail and paying the bills. (Did I really just refer to paying bills as a "little thing". Whoa!) Daddy does these things without me asking. If it wasn't for Daddy, our mailbox would be overflowing with junk mail and Chinese take-out menus from the 4, yes count 'em, 4 Chinese joints in the neighborhood. I hope you learn to remember to do the little things like he does.

* He does the dishes when I cook - We have a deal that if I cook, then Daddy cleans. This rocks! I get to make the mess and he has to deal with it. Yippee!! You will make your future spouse very happy if you know how to compromise and work as a team in the same way Daddy and I do.

* He loves Mexican food - Mexican food is my favorite and Daddy loves it too. It is crucial that you love salsa, chips, tacos, burritos, and enchiladas or you just might starve. Ok, so we won't really let you starve. We'll try to sneak in a Happy Meal into Mexican restaurants for you to eat. Just learn to love Mexican food and help things easier for us. Thanks!

* He understand electronics - For me, all I need is a T.V. with cable. For Daddy, he needs surround sound, speakers, HD, an I-phone and all that Best Buy stuff. He even has a huge plastic bin just filled with cables. I think the bin looks like a tangled mess of black wires. Why must all electrical wires be black anyway?!? Daddy doesn't see it as a mess at all. He actually knows the purpose for each one. When you get old enough to own (and need), having his ability to master electronics will really come in handy. Lord knows that I won't be able to assist you at all. I'll just tell you to call the Apple Genius people - whoever they are.

* He is wicked smart - Daddy can read some complex, obscure text and be able to break it down so that I can even understand it. He is really great at this! Receiving this talent from him will really help you while pulling those all-nighters in your dorm room at UF.

* He thrives on helping others - Daddy is the kind of guy that will give people the shirt off his back. He loves to help others achieve their goals. He is a talented personal trainer who wants to see all of his clients improve in their lives. I hope that whatever it is that you do professionally, you are able to inspire people around you the same way Daddy does.

* He makes me want to be a better person - I hope Daddy inspires the same in you. 'Nough said.

Love,

Mommy