We don’t get much one-on-one time. But today you have awakened from your nap earlier than your sister and your mother takes you to me. It’s time for snack so I fill you a sippy cup of juice and pour a little bowl of Cheerios. I then take you to the couch and sit you on my lap as we watch television.

But it is not the television that is worth watching. While you watch the safari animals on Animal Planet, I watch you.

You are getting to be such a big boy now. Your beautiful little face is thinning out and I am entranced by the calmness your face portrays. As you snack on your Cheerios and drink your juice you glance at me from time to time while watching the rhinos and hippos on TV. Whenever you glance at me, you smile your beautiful smile and we share a private moment that doesn’t come often when you’re a twin. As you look into my eyes, I take in your entire face as I haven’t done in quite a while. I notice a little freckle that has appeared on your forehead. I reach down and kiss it and we snuggle a little closer.

You go back to watching your program but you rest your head against my chest and I kiss the top of your head. Suddenly, you look up at me and arch your back to get your face closer to mine. I realize, as you open your mouth, that you want to give me a kiss. I lean my face closer to yours and you give me a special Monk kiss. You smile even more as we look at each other again. Satisfied with the kiss, you once again rest your head on my chest and watch your program.

I kiss the top of your head, squeeze your little body a little tighter to me and close my eyes. Feeling the warmth and closeness between us makes me so glad to be your Daddy. You are my son and it’s moments like this that make being a father feel like the greatest thing in the world.