It Only Takes A Moment

In life there are very few things I am absolutely sure of. I am absolutely sure that time always moves continually foward at a constant pace. I am absolutely sure that my ankles are located just above my feet. I am absolutely sure that 2 + 2 = 4. And I am now absolutely sure that I possess the capacity for love with all my heart and ever fiber of my being. I became absolutely sure of this the moment I laid eyes on my daughter. Of course you might raise an eyebrow (my wife will raise two eyebrows).

"What about the day you said you loved Jessica for the first time?"

"How about the day you proposed?"

"Why didn't you feel this way when you took your wedding vows?"

Those questions are completely within reason to ask. And answer them is a little bit frightening. Make no mistake, I love my wife absolutely and unequivocally but there has always been a little risk in our relationship.....in every relationship. You can't venture into relationship like that without putting your heart on the line.

I took a chance the first time I told her I loved her. Of course, she had laryngitis so I was fairly cetain that I wouldn't be getting an audible reply. I sweated it out the day I proposed. And you can't help but think, "what if," when you're standing on that alter making the biggest commitment of your life thus far. But the second...the moment...the instant I looked at little, slightly purple, stunningly beautiful Bailey Katherine there was no choice in the matter, no hesitation. An absolute truth melted over my soul...

I was going to love her like crazy her entire life.

It's a family saga that began last week and if you're reading it I hope we keep you interested. I (Eric) will probably do a majority of the posting but it is my hope that Jessica and, one day, Bailey will both share stories. So many of the people we care about are so scattered and it's hard to stay in touch as much as we like but hopefully this is one way you can keep up.

Now.....the story of how it all began....

It was Friday, May 29th in the year 2009. The day was as close to perfect as any we had hosted that spring. I had just come home from work feeling good. I had one more week of school left and all the major activities had come to an end. I was looking forward to one last weekend of peace and quiet....

TO BE CONTINUED