A Daddy Can Dream

Ela- right now you are sleeping on my lap-- stretched across the boppy. And earlier this morning I took this photo of you. And in between now and then I took you on our first father-daughter stroll through the park up the street. I didn't carry you in a wrap or in a stroller. I just carried-- you. I like it that way. Just you and me.

You were very happy to be out and about in the warm morning sun. You are very observant and love to soak it all in-- never off in some other place or passively passing by. Always seeing what can be seen, and it seems, wondering in amazement at what all these new things are that we encounter. We went down to the lake's shore and saw several Canadian geese. A couple of them seemed very respectfully interested in you-- thinking you were just a little harmless gosling under my wing.

That really is what you are-- a little one, under my wing. And I couldn't be more thrilled about that relationship we have. I know you will teach me plenty over the the years; you already have. But I'm so excited to take this journey together, helping you to figure out all the simple and complex things that life has to offer; introducing you to so many new things. It will be very interesting to see what you gravitate towards in terms of your interests, interactions, and what your developing personality brings to every situation.

I know what "sticks" to you-- those things you do gravitate towards with full enjoyment-- are very much up to you. I'm perfectly ok with that. I will tell you, though-- I am very excited at the possibility, the potential for, even if slight, a few of those interests are some that your daddy is already interested in himself. I'll be ok if you don't care much for any of them, because I'll still get the opportunity to share in the things you do love. However, one of those things I'm keeping my fingers crossed about is that you'll share in my love of-- who could have guessed it-- photography.

Photography means using that keen sense of observation you already have. It means going out and grabbing those things you see with your eye and mind, but bringing your own perspective to each thing and expressing it, uniquely, with your own interpretation of it. Your own interpretation as you look back at each photo you've created, but also being able to share those images with all the different viewers of your photos-- as they each bring their own interpretation to what you've created. I want to share that with you. The act of observing-- while a very individual thing, can also be with great comradere. New discoveries shared together. Exploring in this way-- this fine state of Colorado we live in, with all the beauty. And beyond Colorado, adventuring to other parts of the country and world. The sharing of our own interpretations of what we see through our lenses, those moments captured. And again, the sharing of our interpretations of each other's photos. Beyond that, I'd love to share in building our skills, learning the latest technologies, the latest trends, the always-important post-processing of the photos, to see them through to a finished product, the displaying of them, admiring other photographers' work, and on and on. I'd love to see your passion for it be big, like mine. That would be so much fun.

I will say one more time-- if photography doesn't do much for you, that's ok. I'll survive. We'll just go have a tea party together, or we'll just put on your favorite song again (that's music!?), or help you practice for your next big debate. But just know, I will have my camera with me anyway and I'll be capturing all of these special times of you growing from under my wing, to becoming the amazing and unique woman that I know you will become--with or without a camera in your hand.

...Oh, look-- you're grabbing on to my camera strap!! Oh, a daddy can dream!