Dear Child

Those are words I hope to never have to use again! I started a new job, and that’s a good thing as I hope to give you a good life, but the new job is taking up a lot of my time, and I travel a little too much these days, which meant that I did, actually, miss your mother’s second scan!

In fact, there’s a risk I may miss your third scan too, and this is the on in 3D where we’ll find out if you’re a boy or a girl! I hope not to.

It got me thinking, though, is this the life I want? Is this the type of father I want to be? How will it affect you?

My father and I have a funny relationship. In fact, your two uncles, aunt and I have a very “unique” relationship. We each left home to go to University and never came back. We don’t talk very often, but when I’m in a jam, I know your uncle is the first person I’ll call.

It’s the same with my father (your grandfather). He’s a wonderful man, and our weekly conversations are so predicatable I think he’s had enough of them. He was never around when I played sports, and couldn’t make it to my graduation, but I don’t feel bad about it, or even believe he should have been there. I just accept it for what it is! So I’m not sure if I have to always be there, or, like my father, be there when you need me!

I’ve also missed your mother. I’ve been in South Africa all week, and I am here for another week before I travel, with your mother, to London for a week. It’s hectic, but it’s also pretty nice. I’m here for work, but the Football World Cup starts next week and, while I don’t really enjoy watching any sports, I am getting swept away by the fever.

Everywhere I turn there are shouts of “Baffana Baffana”. Up until very recently I thought it was the name of the star player, but it turns out it means “the boys!”. Go figure! It’s the type of activity I want to participate in with your mother and you. 

I’ll tell you a secret. Right before I proposed to your mother, when I knew that she’s the one but I just didn’t need to propose, I went to Florence for work. Every morning, I would wake up very early and go for a run. I would run as the sun rose, and it was then that I realized just how much I wanted to share that moment with your mother, and so when I got back I proposed (we’ll save that story for another day).

Up until this week, I had accepted your arrival like I had accepted the inevitable marriage to your mother, but it wasn’t until now that I realized just how much I wanted to share the rest of my life with you. It’s so real, I can feel you here already. I spent the day at the Apartheid Museum, and then watched a play, and I just wished you were there for me to tell you all about people and the bad things we sometimes do! I wanted to have dinner after the play, but you were all I could think about so I had to rush back and tell you all about my day!

Oh, by the way, we know you’re arriving some time around the 2nd of November. Your uncle, the one I depend on for advice, was born on the 31st of October, so he’s hoping you’d arrive a little early!

Well, dear Child, I hope you’re resting well.

Sleep tight.

Love,

Dad.