Dear Naomi,

Today we celebrate your very first trip around the sun. Today you turn 1 year old. It's almost unreal to think that an entire year has passed. It's been a year filled with so many feelings and emotions, above all, love.

I wish someone had told me how wrong I would be. Wrong in thinking that I would be taking you on a journey, holding you close in my safe harbor as I usher you through your first year of life. I wish I was told that in fact it would be you that would be holding my hand, showing me what life is actually all about.

I wish someone had prepared me. Prepared me for how endlessly I would fall deeper in love with you mother. Watching her raise you is the most amazing thing I could ever witness her do.

No words can truly express how grateful and humbled I have been for the past year. All I can say is that I hope you never stop holding my hand baby Naomi. I hope that I am being a good Papa for you. Thank you for making happiness not a choice, but a constant.

Happy birthday my love!

love,

Papa