Not everyone is meant to be a parent.
Some people want to be one, but it doesn't work out for them.
Some people don't want to be one, but they become parents anyway.
I always wanted to be a parent.
It's not like I dreamed of being a dad or anything. But I always knew that I wanted to have kids.
I didn't over think it. I didn't spend too much time in my youth thinking about it.
But it was there.
It was a given. For me.
And I had no idea what it involved.
I had some ideas about parenting. Things my parents did that I thought were good. And some things that I knew I would do differently.
Still, it was overwhelming when our kids were born.
It's hard to describe that feeling of responsibility that washes over you when you become a parent.
This little person's life depends on you. Literally.
It's humbling.
And I felt a generational bond to my ancestors. I was part of a long line of humans.
Deb and I were full on participating in the circle of life. There was a cosmic element to this feeling.
The feeling continues even though our kids are grown and starting their own lives.
Being a parent continually evolves. Each stage brings different responsibilities and opportunities.
In the end, it isn't so much what you teach your kids, but what they teach you.
I thought I understood love. Being with Deb.
Then Caileigh, Keaton, and Tara came along. And my heart grew and grew to accommodate them.
I had only scratched the surface of love.
As our kids grow into themselves, they bring other people into our lives.
And the love continues to grow even more.
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