Dear A,

A year ago you came into our lives like a one-year-old little ball of fire, which seems appropriate since Aiden means ‘fiery little one’ in Gaelic. Since then, I’ve watched you grow and change almost daily. When I look into your eyes I see hope for the future. I see the depths of your soul in mine. I see God.

Your smile lights up my heart, like fireworks on a hot summer night, and your constant laughter tells me that you know you are right where you belong. When you crawl into bed with us in the morning, I love to watch you and Papa sleep, and know by the contented and peaceful looks on your faces that we were always meant to be a family, and in that moment it occurs to me that I truly have a hard time remembering what life was like before you arrived.

I’m the luckiest daddy in the world because I get to raise you. I get to teach you how to walk, talk, run, and read. When you took your first steps, I was there to catch you, and I will never forget that your first complete sentence was "I love you". The bond we share is unbreakable now, and for that I am truly grateful.

I will try and be your own personal Superhero; I’ll even wear tights if you want me to. Are there monsters in the closet? No problem for Super Daddy. Is there something under the bed? Super Daddy is there to have a peek. Did the puppies take your treat? Super Daddy will save the day.

I hope to instill in you a love for books, reading, and education. When Daddy was a little boy he loved to read about places far and wide, and he hopes to take you on some of the very same adventures. We’ll walk through Sherwood Forest with Robin and his merry men, ride a raft with Huck and Tom down the mighty Mississippi, and fly on a magic carpet with Aladdin. We will go where the wild things are, and find out why James was in that giant peach. We’ll solve mysteries with the Hardy brothers and Nancy Drew; and Mickey, Minnie, and all their friends will come to visit too. We will visit the Hundred Acre Wood where I’ll introduce you to my all time favourite friends: Christopher Robin, Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore, Piglet, Kanga and Rabbit. Buckle up son, because the world will truly be your playground.

I cannot wait to teach you how to dress for any occasion. Why a blue blazer is a must have for any season, a pair of loafers can be dressed up or down, and why a crisply starched white shirt never goes out of style. You will know the difference between a soup spoon and a teaspoon, and know that you always stand when a lady enters the room. You will know where your napkin goes and when to use it, the difference between a water glass and a wine glass, and what fine crystal sounds like when you clink your champagne flutes together in celebration.

We will play sports of all kinds. You may not know it just yet, but Daddy was a pretty good athlete back in the day and knows that you will be too. We’ll play baseball, football, volleyball, and hit golf balls by the thousands. We will run and bike together, and I’ll even let you win a few games on the tennis court, someday! Since Daddy grew up in Florida, Papa will have to teach you how to ice skate, play hockey, and ski so that you will be ready for any season.

When the time comes, I’ll be honest with you about how you came to have Daddy and Papa as your parents. It’s not a happy story, but it does have a happy ending because we got you. You are a gift from the Gods because they knew how much we needed you, and you us. Words can’t describe how you have filled my heart with happiness and joy, and although I know not every day will always be great, they will be spent together at least.

I want you to know that family is everything and you have a really big one to grow into. Your grandparents love and adore you, as do your uncles, aunties and cousins. You already love them too, and I see it every time we get together. You are such a lucky little boy to have so many people who love you and will help us guide you through life’s challenges. We are all very blessed.

You are already so strong at the age of two, and you make me proud to be your daddy every day. You have already been through more drama than someone ten times your age, and through it all you are still the happiest little dude I have ever met. If we could sustain ourselves on love alone, we would be fed like kings; morning, noon and night.

Little A, I love everything about you! You have a natural ability to make us laugh, and I especially love it when we ‘dance it’ together to your favourite song, the theme from Big Bang Theory. You have a love of music that fills my heart, because it is something we share. Whether we are waltzing to Bach or Beethoven, wilding out to Eminem or Azealia Banks, getting our groove on to Donna Summer or Katie Perry, two stepping to Shania or Alan Jackson, or head banging to Guns and Roses or Queen, you never miss a beat. I cannot wait to see how your own tastes in music develop, and whatever they may be, I know that you will have a solid foundation to grow on.

Finally my cherished son, I want you to know your Daddy and Papa would move heaven and earth for you. We want you to learn from the vast amount of mistakes we have made, so that you can fly higher and farther than we ever did. Your future is so bright that a thousand suns couldn’t outshine it. One day, when you are grown, have finished university and are out on your own, I hope you can read this letter again and know that we made every effort to give you the best chance at a happy and successful life that we could. I love you little A.

Always and forever... Daddy