The TriDad Life

Dear Beanpod,

We are in crunch time. The blocks are now just “block.” We are currently sitting at only 2 days until your expected due date, and we are prepared that you may come at any moment now.

This may very well be my last note to you before you are out here. (Your mother really, really, really hopes that it is! And heck, I’m ready, too). While I still have the chance before the welcomed chaos ensues, I wanted to share a view of what life looks like out here, on the “Eve of You.” It’s a preview of what you are entering in to, and I think in the years to come, it will be interesting for us to recall what life looked like just before you arrived.

On the eve of you… We live in the small township of Tuscola, MI, just outside of Frankenmuth (also relatively small but bigger than this little township) where your parents both grew up. We affectionately refer to it as “Tuscola Heights,” which I’ve found brings humor when brought up in interactions with “city folk.” We find the pace of life and the community here suitable for our current station.

On the eve of you…Your two built-in siblings, Suzie and Henry, are unaware of the change that is coming. Henry seems to enjoy being in your nursery, and between the two mutts, he does seem to sense something is going on. I know they will love and feel protective of you.

On the eve of you…Your father is still hopelessly attached to the Michigan State football team, which is in historic disarray. Your mother loves them, too, but she can compartmentalize better than your father on this matter. I joke about not passing down this disease to you, but like most hereditary conditions, there is nothing I can do about it. Sorry, kid. Go Green.

On the eve of you…The season of autumn has just begun. The leaves are starting to change color, and I think we are really in for one of the most beautiful and lasting falls of our lifetime. It is a wonderful time for you to be born here in Pure Michigan.

On the eve of you…Your Dad is still waiting for a hole-in-one. Will it happen tonight in the last golf league night of the season? Probably not. (I’ve also received some consultation that this might be my last round of golf, ever…)

On the eve of you…Time is being stretched. I can still recall when your mother told me that your spark had caught. I remember the moment so clearly, I can still feel it, and yet it seems like a lifetime ago. In these last couple weeks, we have felt it stretch even more. We are praying for patience, but it feels a little strange and uncomfortable being in this lull.

On the eve of you…Not to alarm you, but your parents have had numerous discussions that involve the phrase “who the heck determined that we could be parents?” We’ve checked around and the good news is that all parents have doubts that they are ready to care for a child. What we truly believe now is that we are actually ready, we just can’t fully describe or understand how until you arrive.

On the eve of you…Your parents agree that we have been blessed with wonderful life experiences up until now, and although we know that life is about to change, and the level of pressure and responsibility will be greater than we’ve ever known, we believe that the best of our life is to come with your arrival. (No pressure kid!)

On the eve of you…Your extended family is waiting with anticipation. Your grandparents are perhaps feeling time stretch even more than we are in this waiting period. They live close by, which makes us feel even more ready to bring you up in this world. A community of aunts and uncles and cousins and friends are here to welcome you, and to make life really interesting for all of us in the coming years.

On the eve of you…we don’t even know if you will be a boy or a girl! How cool is that? Your parents have already settled on your name in either case and are excited for the surprise of a lifetime.

On the eve of you…We are ready to bring you into this world, and raise you in the faith passed down to us from our parents, and from theirs to them. We want you to live a full life in knowing that there is a purpose and destiny that waits for us all, beyond our time on this Earth.

On the eve of you...Your Dad feels content and grateful in his place and stage in life. With you and your mother, he’s finding strength and clarity in knowing there is nothing else he needs to go forward with purpose in this life. He may waver at times, experiencing moments of doubt and weakness, but these are fleeting. He knows the reality of you will always bring him back to square.

On the eve of you…We’re ready for you, our beanpod. We’ll be seeing you soon.

Love,

Your Dad