I intended, with this, my second post, to continue the story I had begun with the first, to explain further that which makes 'single' a part of my fatherhood story.
There's been a clamor, however, for photographs — tout de suite, if you please — though being strong-armed by those who have provided this platform might be a more appropriate description. Just kidding, of course … but seriously, post some pictures already.
I was going to just throw in a couple with the aforementioned post, but as I sought some specific photographs I really wanted to share, pictures I hadn't looked through in years, I chose to devote a little time to presentation and make this one about the photos.
I must admit, I was struck by how young I looked. I'm always accused of being much younger than I am, often by seven or eight years, but in one of the photos I did not include, I look like a child. Perhaps that is befitting; I'm certain I often acted as such back then.
I'm stunned how quickly time passes. Though she is only seven (and a half, a very important distinction these days), it seems a distant memory when Maddie was this small. There is wondrous joy in watching her grow — I delight in everything about her — but I still pine for wisps of those moments that are gone, especially when she was new, when I didn't fully appreciate how precious and fleeting those moments are.
It has been said to me so many times over the years that, however old Maddie happened to be at the time, "that's a fun age." I've found that to be true … every day of her life. As eagerly as I look forward to the next, it pains me to let go of the last.
The black and white shots were taken by a photographer at The Star Press, where I worked part time while in college. Unfortunately, I cannot remember the photographer's name.
There will be many more pictures to come. As they say, they're worth a thousand, and all the words I could write would never do Maddie justice. These are but an introduction to the one who has claimed my heart.