When I was seven months pregnant with Luke, I asked my mom if she wanted to be in the delivery room. She said, yes, of course, and I said that I figured dad wouldn't want to be there, but she could ask him. To my surprise, my dad said that yes, he did want to be there. At the time, I was surprised, but I should've known that my dad would want to be there for me, just like he always has been.
Having my dad there for the birth of my son was one of the beautiful, most special moments of my life. During my labor, dad kind of stayed in the background, perhaps unsure of what to do with all the women swarming around me. But he did so much, in his dad way. After I'd been laboring all night with no signs of stopping, he went to McDonald's to get breakfast for my doula and everyone else. When he got back, he discovered that the hospital was holding a bake sale. And so, after Luke was born, he snuck downstairs and bought a chocolate cake to celebrate Luke's birthday.
When Luke came into this world, my dad was standing behind my midwife and laid eyes on him even before I did. After Luke was born, my mom and Shane both were like SEE YA LATER and flocked to Luke's side. As I was being stitched up, my doula held one hand, and my dad held the other. My dad slyly looked at me and said, Sooo... when did you get that tattoo? See, my dad doesn't like tattoos, so mine has been a secret since I got it at 19. I said, "Mom knew about it!" and we all laughed and he lovingly teased me. While I was getting stitched, he still held my thin hand tight in his big one and talked to my doula about how beautiful Luke's birth was. Having just given birth, I didn't think my heart could get bigger, but it did.
To this day, if you ask my dad about Luke's birth, he will talk your ear off about how amazing it was, how beautiful every single part of it was, and how he thinks everyone should have such a beautiful, peaceful birth. And if you ask me about it, well, I'll tell you the same... but I'll also tell you that I am forever thankful that my dad could be there.
17 comments:
Teary eyed in Texas. Beautiful tribute to your dad Erin.
You made me cry, too, Erin! Beautiful post for sure. :)
Im teary in TX too. and I totally forgot what I wanted to say.
i love your dad. tell him i do when you see him, kay?
Even though I just heard this story, it still made me cry. Happy Father's DAao your dad.
Aww! That's so sweet!
Also, I must have missed the memo about you getting a tattoo! LOL!
Debbie--I've had it since my freshman year of college, so it's definitely nothing new or memo worthy. :)
Beautiful tribute to your father.
Just before giving birth to my first child, they told me that I had to take out my tongue ring while my parents were in the room. "TONGUE RING!?!" my dad shockingly replied, with that sly smirk on his face. What could he say, though, I was married and having a child for crying out loud. So I giggled, feeling like I was a teen all over again, and did what any teen would do when faced with the same predicament - I stuck my tongue out at him :)
Neither of them could be there for that birth (or any, for that matter), as that birth was a C-section and the subsequent ones were in different states because of the military, but I just had to let you know that you weren't the only one busted giving birth {giggle}
I love this post! Your father is such a special man. Thanks for sharing with us!
This is an amazing post Erin. Happy Father's Day to your dad.
that was so very sweet. Tears.
Excuse me while I finish blowing my nose! That was beautiful. I hope your dad reads this, if not you should print it out and give it to him.
Did I ever tell you that the only conversation I had with your dad at your wedding was the following:
Me: Hi! How are you?
Your dad: (teary eyed) As good as can be expected considering I gave her away. Good to see you too. Make sure you have a lot to eat.
Your dad is awesome. I can't even imagine having my dad anywhere near any place where my hoo-ha was going to be exposed, even if it is for a respectable reason.
Erin, this is the sweetest. Your dad sounds a lot like mine. I have stories I could share, too (re: tattoos and dads and such) : )
Steph
You are the most blessed woman in the entire world. That is the truth.
What an amazing post about your dad. It makes me miss mine so much more. Too bad he's a stubborn jerk.
I love that your dad saw Luke before you did. How special that you'll always have that amazing memory from his birth.
That is gorgeous. I love your Dad. May you have another beautiful, peaceful birth surrounded by the people you love.
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