Year One... Shot From a Cannon!

Anybody who says "time flies when you're having fun" has no idea what they're talking about unless they have kids!

Ladies and Gentlemen, I am now the proud papa of a one-year old!

I thought I knew what it meant to have time rush past you. When I realized my son was turning one this month, it suddenly felt like time rolled over my ass, backed up to make sure it hit me, then rolled on over again. Where the hell did this year go? It feels like a few weeks ago I could put him down on his blanket and he'd still be there 10 minutes later. Now, I put him on his blanket and both he and the blanket are halfway down the hall before I can blow my nose.

I think the main reason I feel like this year blew by so fast is because all of the memories I have from the past year are SO vivid in my mind that they still feel new. In the past, my memories of events fade into... well, just memories. What it comes down to is that these new memories of starting our family are of such significance that they held their shine longer, and consequently are still very dominant in my mind. Because of that, when I think back to them they seem like they just happened, and now I'm looking at a toddler instead of my infant son.

... and it's a grand sight, let me tell you.

So, things have been all about Evann for the last few weeks and rightfully so. However, I feel the need to take a moment for myself and reflect a bit internally. I can only comment on my own experience, but I am still in awe of how significant everything seems now in my life. I have more purpose, more motivation, more desire than I ever have, and it's all thanks to my son. My head feels like it's in the right place for the first time in my life, and while I am constantly watching out for my family's future, I am doing everything in my power to live in the moment and not miss experiencing my boy's childhood. It's an odd thing: I spent so much of my youth dodging responsibility, and here I am reveling in it. Leave it to a life event like having a baby to toss your priority list into the blender.

In hindsight, I wouldn't have changed a thing in the past year. Every experience, good, bad, and "WTF-horrible", have all been beneficial in some way, shape or form. My marriage has never been stronger, my family has never been more bonded, and I've been as happy as I can remember. I've learned more about myself in learning about my son than I thought was possible, and I can only sum up my feelings in one word: thankful. I thank my wife, I thank my son, and I thank my family and friends for everything that has led up to this moment as I sit here and write.

So, here's to the shortest year of my life (so far). That's one down, dozens to go... and I say, bring it on. Happy Birthday, Son!