A tiny hand in mine, that has grown throughout the years
Eyes that look at me with adoration, and to reassure the fears
Tender moments shared, of hugs and gentle kisses
Encouraging words aplenty after after all those swings and misses

Ponytails and tea parties and adorning dolls with dresses
Showing how to write your name and celebrate successes
Giving you the confidence to take on the world alone
But showing you that I’ll support you through every unknown

Five years ago, I didn’t know what being a dad meant
Even though I read all those books before that blessed event
You see, being a dad isn’t about a stereotypical role
It’s about nurturing the best in you from your head right through your soul.

It’s baking cookies, reading stories and washing behind the ears
It’s doling out the discipline and then wiping away the tears
It’s showing you a man of honor so that you will be, or marry, one
It’s about joyfully spending time with you, my daughter and my son.

It’s about answering every question while trying to not go nuts
It’s about piggy back rides, hide and seek and even wiping little butts
It’s about pancakes every Sunday and afternoons at the park
It’s about holding little hands at night when frightened by the dark

It’s about everyday expressions of love to your mother and my wife
It’s about helping you to navigate this winding road called life
It’s about sharing my experience for you to take a bigger step than I
It’s about giving you your wings when it comes that time to fly

Because someday in the future, that tiny hand will be all grown
And you will take that step into the great big world all alone
But I will be there ready throughout the coming years
To celebrate your successes and to reassure your fears.

For I can already see that being your Dad, will simply never end
And someday I hope that lines will blur between father and a friend
But most of all, being a dad comes down to this simple view
About leaving absolutely no doubt, how much I do love you.