No, Petal . . . I’m not calling you names; I’m calling you by your name. Your Momma and I found out that you’re a girl! You knew that already, of course, but we had to wait until a couple weeks ago. We had our appointment with the doctor and the weird and wonderful machine and we got to see your face, your healthy body, your heartbeat, and then the doctor pointed to . . . well, you’re a girl.
Seeing your tiny little fingers made it real, just like your big brother Amos’ fingers did. Someday soon, they will be wrapped around my finger. Then, as you grow, they will be holding my hand. And far, far into the future, they will be holding on to my arm as I walk you down an aisle between two sets of people who are there to celebrate with the most beautiful girl in the world, and your fingers will move to hold the one person who will love you as much as your Momma and me.
Just promise me that you will still hold my hand sometimes too.
Love, Daddy
