Dear Ryan

Dear Ryan,

It's 3:00 in the morning as I sit at the computer to write these words to you. Earlier this evening your mom decided she wanted us to go on a walk, "to get things moving along." Well, it apparently worked. After just 3 hours of sleep, she woke me to tell me that your birthday would be August 3rd, 2010. For a while, we debated: How long do we wait before going to the hospital? How long do we wait before calling and waking your grandparents to come watch your sister, Elizabeth? Should we call the hospital first and ask their advice? Will they call the doctor for us?

Strangely, the whole thing felt like deja vu all over again (a famous Yogi Bera quote...I look forward to sharing his famous wit with you one day.) Just 16 1/2 months before, we went through this same routine with your sister. You'd think that we'd know exactly what to do this time, but it's funny how much you forget in 16 months.

Your mom is getting herself ready and packing her bag (she'll pack enough to stay for a month). Your dog, Bella, is asleep on the kitchen floor. I'm drinking coffee, trying to clear the fog, sitting in the kitchen writing on the laptop. Even in the haze of the early hours of the morning, I'm exploding with excitement about meeting you for the first time.

I know I'll make mistakes. I know you won't always like me. There will come a time when you think you know everything and I'm a complete idiot. But know this: I'm going to love you with everything that is in me. I'm going to do my best to give you tons of my time. And I'm going to tell you about our God who loves you a million times more than I am able to love you. Unbelievable, isn't it? I cannot wait to throw a ball with you, to ride you on my shoulders, to read you a story, to put you to bed at night. I cannot wait to meet you, Ryan!

But for now, we wait. Just waiting on you to do your thing. So come on, buddy. I'm looking forward to meeting you.

Love,

Dad