Turner,

Today you turned 1 year old and I am so excited! One year ago today you made me the proudest and happiest I have ever been, you made me a daddy! I still remember sprinting out of the gym from a wrestling match when I received the text that you were here. I don’t think I’ve ever sprinted or have driven so fast...so let’s not tell your GiGi how fast I was driving, ha. 
 
When I Heard 12/08/2011
 
Dear Turner, 

When I heard I was going to be a father it was the most joyous moment of my life. I jumped on the couch in one bound to celebrate with my wife. I wanted to do sprints up and down the neighborhood shouting it out. I felt as if I could lift the entire world! Then a month later that world came crashing down. With details I won’t explain (that's not why I'm writing), my wife and I began to have problems. We struggled to the degree she felt she needed to leave me--four months into the pregnancy. The only time I would see her would be in our counseling sessions. Because of all this I wasn't privy to the things that I thought I would experience as a father-to-be. I didn’t get to go to the doctor appointments as I had envisioned so many times. I wasn't there to hold her hand and see the different ultrasounds. I didn't get to learn about the process of pregnancy and childbirth or go to lamas classes or search for the fastest hospital route possible. I wasn’t even there at your birth since I wasn't told until four hours after delivery. 
 
Your First Bed 11/10/2011
 
Dear Baby Girl, 

The other day I built your first bed.  Now, a lot of people think that it is not considered "building" when all the necessary parts come in the same cardboard box along with the directions and an allen wrench and only requires the Builder (your daddy) to put screws in predrilled holes.  But for someone who drinks coffee, reads books, and talks about it for a living, that was building.