Dear Baby Loucks,

Let me start off by saying, “I love you.” From the moment your mother told me that you were to be, I’ve loved you.  We’re nearly 6 months from your out-of-womb arrival and you already fill my thoughts.  Your sister, Nora, does as well.

It’s not that I’m obsessed with you in that fatherly overbearing way (though I’d put money on me being overbearing eventually).  It’s more that I believe in you and your potential.  I often find myself dreaming about what you will be and how you will be it.  Will you be a doctor?  Perhaps an English professor?  An accountant?  A garbage truck driver?  Will you be compassionate?  Daring?  Funny?  Quite frankly, I’m still in the stage wondering if you’re going to be a boy or girl (for the record, mommy thinks you’re going to be a girl and I think you’re going to be a boy.  Your mommy is usually right about… well… most things.)  Whatever it is that you will become, I believe in you.  I will be your biggest fan, your greatest ally, and your best encourager.  I’m your dad and I love you.

Though you’re roughly the size of a lime, I’ve read that your head comprises nearly half your total size.  Proportionately, you’ll never have a better brain-to-body ratio even as a big-headed Loucks child.  So, let me give you some simple advice as your cognitive development furthers.  It’s good to know these things now and expect a quiz on March 19th.

Your mother is the most important person in my life.  I love her like no other.  Without question, you’ve hit the jackpot in the baby lottery.  You’ve got a tremendous mommy.  She will love you well.  And, even though you’re killing her with whatever is causing the nausea, she will forget about it the moment she sees you.  You, me, and Nora are her life.  She loves like a mommy should love.

Your sister is the first born; expect first born tendencies.  She will surely know what’s best for you even better than you know for yourself.  She will likely give you advice.  It’s the duty of the oldest sibling.  There’s no doubt in my mind that you will be her baby.  We love Nora.  She will be our one and only first born child.  As a father, there’s nothing that I would like more for you two than to love each other well.  One day your mom and I will be gone and it’s been my experience that your siblings are your best connection to who you were, who you are, and who you’re going to be.

Finally, I’d be remiss if I didn’t tell you about what consumes my prayers.  I pray that you will be a strong, courageous, God-loving, justice-seeking, peace-filled, compassionate boy/girl that knows that they are meant for amazing things.  It’s a privilege to be your dad.  March 19th, come quick!

Always know that daddy loves you.  – Your dad