My Little Sunshine

There are a few events in my life that changed everything, but the first one would be when I met my daughter. I had a bad experience with the fairer sex in my high school years. Cliche as it might be, I was left broken hearted in my final year do to a girl who didn’t share my affections. I had sworn off women after that, went to college, focused on my studies. It was simpler that way, and I was happier. Then, randomly I met the woman who would become my wife. We dated for a few months, and then she told me she had a daughter. I wanted to meet the little scamp, so I did.

It was the moment we met, and she wanted to play with me that everything was different. I had long given up the idea of having my own children, or even a proper relationship. But hearing her little laugh, I knew I was in the right place. Everything was different, I had too really be responsible. If I wanted to make my relationship work, I had to be a dad to this little girl. And I did, every play time or sport event, I was there. I didn’t goof around on the PlayStation anymore, not for hours and hours at least. I didn’t just leave with my friends for weekend adventures, I had to take care of this little girl. And I have never been happier. She brought direction to my life when I had none.

I had stopped being a child, or man child, and started being a man. From that point onward I wasn’t easy, but now I knew what was important. The times I helped her with her homework or was there when she cried about her birth father, these things were real and important. I even got to the point of being overprotective regarding boys. Sometimes that’s just how it goes I guess; you get a little girl and suddenly every boy is evil and thieving. I’m sure I’ve given more grief there than needed, but her birth father and I at least agreed with that.

A second even happened, years later, with the birth of my son. Now I’m sure many will say that should have been what changed everything. Whoever does is wrong because my little girl is mine in all but blood. It was thanks to her that I was even able to manage at well as I did in raising a baby. I did fear she would be jealous, but she said to her mother and I that it was her baby and we had to go away. That was the most adorable thing I have ever seen. It’s been a process since then, managing work, schooling, and play time. I’m lucky my wife was around, or I would have been lost. My little girl, however, is what made it possible. Everything In my life that I can do now is because she entered it. If it weren’t for her I’d still be alone, wasting my time in a basement on a console, or at some dead end job that I didn’t care about. I’m sure this is bland by most people’s standards, and many have exciting stories about near death. Power to them, but for me it was simple and profound. A little bundle of endless energy that had trouble saying my name walked into my life, and she made it all so much better. I dread what would have happened without her, and I’m thankful I met her and her mother when I did.

Thank you for reading.

Patrick.