I descend the stairs, freshly showered and ready for work. Your mother heads upstairs to finish getting ready herself and I lower myself to the floor to play with you and your sister. At this moment, Swee’Pea is busy pushing her toys around the room, oblivious to you and I.

You approach me as I puff my cheeks out – knowing you love it when I do this because you know you’re going to get a big raspberry kiss on your cheek. In fact you dive into my arms and I blow my kisses onto your cheek in rapid succession as you squeal in delight. I hold you tight for a second longer and release you.

Once again you and I lock eyes. We look at each other for what seems like an eternity. You tilt your head slightly and I focus on the beauty of your little face. I notice that your face is looking slimmer and your dark eyes contrast with your light complexion. I also notice something that I have not seen before. As I gaze at you, my little boy, for the very first time, I see me. My heart skips a beat and tears well up in my eyes as I see myself as a little boy. Photographs of me run through my head as I gaze at your perfect little face.

I am so moved because since you were born, it has been generally agreed upon that neither you, nor your sister, looked much like me. I accepted that as an insignificant fact that had nothing to do with how much I love you. And that is still true. But I love seeing me in you. You are my little man and I am your Daddy. I cannot tell you how much that means to me – how much YOU mean to me.

I am so proud, Monk, to be your Daddy. And the fact that you look like me is just icing on the cake.