Veteran's Day 2004

Veteran's Day 2004 is a day that will stick in my mind forever. Nothing dramatic took place, nothing monumental occurred in my life, but still it remains etched-nearly in stone in my memory.

Scott and I had been "officially" dating for about a month or so at that point and he offered to take me to his parents' then summer home, in Ogunquit, ME for the day. (Little did I know then that Scott NEVER took or has since taken off Veteran's Day-had I known I would have realized even earlier he was a keeper taking a vacation day to spend with me!)

We were driving home from a wonderful day alone in their spectacular home and neighborhood, complete with a walk on the beach and on the Marginal Way. Our day was so perfect. We were nearing our approach to the highway, driving right past Anthony's-Jack's favorite coffee stop, when it happened.

"I just can't imagine ever having a daughter, I just picture myself with a son."--note the singular and no thought of daughter was on Scott's radar screen-that was FOR SURE! There were other things said, some pertinent, some irrelevant, some thought-provoking, some funny, but nothing stands out as much as that sentence.

I thought about it for a while after that and continued to analyze and re-analyze and over analyze my then boyfriend's comment and how that would impact our future together. It was a discussion that I know I didn't wait too long to dive into with Scott.

As time went on and we moved in together, got engaged, got married and then decided to start a family, we tackled the typical topics related to having a baby-did we want to know the gender, did we have a name or names chosen, would we be on the same page as parents, would this be our only child, what would it be like?

Finding out our March 2008 arrival was going to be a girl was such a joy for us BOTH! Scott beamed with pride telling his friends, family, co-workers, embraced the questions/teasing and jokes about how testy teenage girls can be and how challenging they can seem. Only 9 months or so after our peanut Jenna was welcomed into our lives, we were elated to have the upcoming arrival of a baby sister for her. Again the onslaught of comments, taunting about saving for two Bat Mitzvahs, sweet sixteens and weddings came about and Scott took it with SUCH a good sense of humor-as he does with everything...

I remember that day in 2004 so vividly even now, 6 years later. I remember my worries, agonizing over what if we did get married and have a daughter (or more than 1 as I was hoping) how would this impact Scott? (Afterall, we had no control over the gender... He knew that right? :) ) And as I look back now, I laugh, often out loud, when I see Scott and our girls. He is the dream dad for daughters (and for sons too I am certain though we have no reference to date.) He plays baby, does ponytails, sings songs, can put on tights (on the girls), knows all the princesses names, draws pictures, uses his imagination to play all sorts of games, and most of all adores his two daughters like the most amazing, loving, dedicated, warm, affectionate, perfect dad I always dreamt he would be!

Why all the worry, I was right on that day in November 2004-all was perfect! (And it still is!) :)