Pedantic Autodidact

My dearest Nolie,

I know that you're supposed to write a letter to your kids on their birthdays, but you're starting school soon and the urge just hit. Sue me.

The first thing that comes to mind is the first thing I ever told you, the day you were born.

I've got your back.

No matter what happens, Daddy will be there to try to fix what's wrong, or just to hold you while you deal with what's wrong. No matter what, Daddy loves you more than anything else in the world. I harbor no illusions about my ability to make your road completely smooth, and, indeed, I would be doing you a disservice were I to remove any potential problems from your path. My job is not to make your life problem-free, but to try to help you to be able to deal with problems.

Of course, the second thing I told you was "Keep your stick on the ice." We'll talk about that another time.

There are so many things about you that I admire already. You have such a loving heart and nature, and you are so friendly, that people like you immediately. Maybe I'm biased (HAH!), but your smile lights up any room. I will always be grateful to your mom for those personality traits in you.

I wish I could coherently tell you about your Nana. But there's no way. Suffice it to say that she loved you completely, she was incredibly proud of you, and you should be proud to carry her name as your middle name.

You are a constant revelation to me, whether it's when you sing a new song, or draw a new picture, or tell me a new wonderful story. It amazes me, how you learn new things so quickly and take such joy in the learning. I love watching you grow, in all ways, even though sometimes it tears at my heart that my little girl is growing up.

You've also taught me something. What it really means to love someone. I had no idea, before you, what that meant.

I remember being asked, before you were born, what I "expected" of you. And I remember being offended by the question. My answer to that is the same now as it was then. My only wish for you is that you grow up to be a strong, independent woman, fully capable of making your own informed decisions. Advice will always be available, but if I'm making your decisions for you once you reach adulthood, then I haven't done my job. I probably won't agree with all of your choices (and again, I don't WANT to, I want you to be your own person), but I will support you in all of them.

You are, have always been, and always will be, my sweetie baby girl.

I love you.

Daddy

P.S. Exceptions -- The Montreal Canadiens and the New York Yankees. Other than that, you're cool. Become a fan of either team, and you're disowned...