To My Daughter’s Father on Father’s Day

Happy father's day, Benjie Boy!

To my lobster,

First, let me explain why ‘lobster’. Lobsters mate for life. When they find ‘the one’, they link their claws together and never let go. Well, that’s you and me. We’ve been through so much, yet we came out together every time.

This letter, however, isn’t about how strong we are as a couple. This is about that facet of you that a new girl has brought out. That part of your personality I am getting to know little by little, day by day, thanks to the new love of your life, my daughter, Benriya Jean.

I always knew you’d make a good father. You have always been good around kids and are not afraid to be the disciplinarian when the need arises. The moment you found out I was pregnant, the light in your eyes was inexplicable. There was joy, excitement  and fear rolled into one. At that moment, I knew I made the right choice when I chose you.

You weren’t around when I gave birth, partly because I didn’t know I was in labor and partly because I didn’t want you to miss work. You have been making up for that absence eversince. I still remember how lovingly you looked at Benriya, our daughter, when you finally got to the hospital on September 21. You were in tears, but more importantly, in awe of that beautiful girl Nanay placed in your arms. At last. At long last, our prayers have been answered. We were blessed with a healthy, beautiful little girl who looked exactly like you. We were, finally, a family.

Your dedication to Benriya is amazing. Fatherhood has turned you into an excellent provider, a more caring partner, and an overall better person. I have no words for how thankful I am that you are the father of my child, and the would-be-father of my future children.

Thank you for loving me and our baby. For still being my partner in crime, my bestfriend, my debate opponent, for being mine. I will always be grateful to you for being our source of strength and happiness. Thank you for being our Diddy. Happy father’s day, Mahal. I love you so much.

♥,
Joy

And for this too: