I Love You the Most

Lately, around our home B has been more affectionate than ever. When they're smaller they wiggle out of your arms to crawl and discover their new world. Then, when they become mobile they do the same to proudly show off their new-found independence. At the age of 3, B wakes up at her usual early hour and barges into our bedroom with her pig pillow and blanket, climbs into our bed and says "I love you Mommy. I love you Daddy." What I've yet to mention here is that she is in absolute love with her daddy. Yes, she's a daddy's girl. She runs to him (at full speed) from the opposite end of the house when he arrives from work. She hugs him tighter and longer. She follows him around the house and sometimes she'll cry when he leaves. She wants to be climbing and playing with him all the time if she could.  Is there a bit of parent jealousy here? Perhaps. Can I understand it? Absolutely! I grew up one of four girls -- and we all fought for our Dad's attention. So, yes, I understand it and I find it endearing to see B love Chris so much. I remember when I was dating Chris that I'd watch him with his nieces and nephews and think that he'd make a wonderful father one day - and so he is.

Lately, their conversations go like this:
B: I love you Daddy.
Chris: I love you too.
B: I love you more.
Chris: I love you the most.

How could a daughter not love the first man in her life that sets the bar for how she should measure every other man that she will ever meet? Luckily for B and I, we have some incredibly high standards.

B and her Daddy

Me, my Dad and my sister