To My Partner:
Oh, what a whirlwind of a year it has been! We began this journey filled with excitement and dreams, and as we close the chapter on this year, our hearts overflow with gratitude. Our little girl isn’t just a continuation of us—she is a precious gift that you’ve given me.
People often said that once she arrived, I would truly understand love. I rolled my eyes at that; I thought I already knew what it meant to love deeply. But boy, was I wrong! Despite the many disagreements and challenges we’ve faced, our love has remained unshaken. It’s unconditional, forgiving, and nurturing. On even our most challenging days, that love is a constant presence.
I can’t express enough how much I admire you as a father. So many wonderful aspects of your character have come to light this year, some I never knew were there. You are gentle, hilarious, and so creative in the way you bond with her. The love and concern I see in your eyes when you look at her is something I’ve never witnessed before. You truly adore her, and it shows.
I do want to apologize for all the times I’ve interrupted you or offered unsolicited advice. It’s not that I doubt your parenting skills; I just find that a mother’s mind is often full of worries.
This year has surprised me in ways I didn’t expect. I always knew I would be a great mom (look at me, bragging!), but I never anticipated the depth of the connection I would have with our daughter. From the moment she was growing inside me, a shift occurred. It’s like nothing else matters but her happiness and safety. That overwhelming sense of responsibility is always with me, and it can be all-consuming. Parenthood has taken over my life, even when I wish it wouldn’t!
There are countless moments where I just stop and marvel at her existence, thinking, “This is real. She’s here, she’s ours, and she’s not going anywhere.” It’s surreal, to say the least. From the two of us to the three of us—though I carried her for nine months, I still find myself pinching to believe it some days.
I never imagined there would come a time when we wouldn’t kiss goodnight and somehow it would be okay. Yet, here we are, and our world hasn’t crumbled! As this year wraps up, I reflect on all the nights we’ve spent apart, reminiscent of our two years of distance, one of which was spent halfway around the globe. That excitement and adaptation we navigated back then seems to have returned, but in a much more fulfilling way.
We are together, happy, and not only do we have each other to love, but we also have this incredible little person to cherish. I have so much to be thankful for, including the evolving passion between us. It feels different now, but I appreciate it more than ever.
As we end this year, I feel a deeper connection to you. We’ve become a stronger team. Although there are occasional bumps, the love and respect we share run much deeper. I have a renewed appreciation for everything you do—for her, for me, and for us.
Every time I see you with our baby, I realize how fortunate she is to have you as her dad—and how lucky I am to experience all of this. These early years will fly by before we know it, and while it might seem like we’ve lost the couple who cherished their time together, I know that’s not true. You and I will always be us.
I love you, and I know you feel that just as much.