The weather was 60° and mild today, which for January in Maryland is kind of like a blizzard on the Amazon. Today was Father’s Day at Finn’s school, which the two of us have been looking forward to for months. Walking in, we were given our ties by the teacher, and I had Finn slip it over my head. Then she led me over to the play-doh table and she mashed shapes out of turquoise dough with three other children while the adults made small talk. After making pizzas out of construction paper and glue, we washed up and the kids began their day. We dads stood in back of the classroom and watched them run through their morning routine, offering quiet encouragement—hi there! turn around and sing!—in between muffled laughter—don’t look at me, look at the teacher!—and the Pledge of Allegiance. It’s pretty amazing how quickly that stuff comes back. I found myself with my hand over my heart halfway through “one nation under God” before I realized I was saying it out loud.

And then, just as soon as it had begun, it was time to leave. I got a big hug from Finn and told her I loved her, my nose pressed up against her clean hair, and then she was down on the floor and across the room, on to the next activity. I drive home with a hole in my heart the size of a 3-year-old girl—the one who jumps in circles by herself during the Potato Song.

My Daddy…
Favorite color is Green
Loves to eat ravioli for dinner
Likes to watch Bobble Heads on TV
Works on a computer at work
Comes home from work and eats dinner
Loves to play “tickle fight” with me
Love, Finn