The Wave of Emotions of Being a Dad: Never Panic & Enjoy the Ride Fatherhood

I look back at my son every time I put him to bed and think, “I helped create this life." The bundle of joy, cheekiness and smile that his personality brings, the wave of emotion of him being born, to the first time I saw him crawl to his first step. They don’t teach you this? The emotion you feel, the smiles, the tears, the laughter and pain. What do I say to friends and fathers-to-be when they say, "What does it feel like? What’s the emotion?”

I reply, think of your favorite team in the cup final. You’re losing 3 to 1 with 10 minutes to go, and you’re riding that wave of emotion, that feeling of one more goal can set off that chain reactions. They score, it’s 3 to 2. That fear is now excitement! It’s, yes, we can! That was my feeling when my son took his first step. He fell but got back up, stood there and looked at me. It's now five minutes to go, it’s 3 to 3. You’re nervous, full of joy, your mind saying, “Do we take it to extra time or go for the win?”

My son standing in front of me, he’s seeing all these emotions and understanding some with a questionable face. He takes that next step one foot in front of the other and walks into my arms. The game ends 4 to 3 and you watch your team lift the cup. Ride the wave of emotion.

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