Some fathers are just that, the person who fathered a child. My father was one of those. We would have been better off without him, except for the creation of life part. I think it should be the Day of the Dad. and I remember when I became a dad. I remember when I became a father, too, but that's a story for elsewhere. It had been rough - my wife had had a miscarriage before, so she was distraught with the "what if"s, to the point that when we were in the clinic for the official "you are pregnant", she was terrified. The nurse running the ultrasound, kept saying, "I'm sorry, I can't tell you anything, you have to wait for the doctor", which was making her panic even more. They finally took heart, and "accidentally" turned on the speaker. Up until that point, I had been a fiancée, a life partner to my mate, who had created a child with someone. I had been worrying about my wife, not thinking about the child. But in that moment, when the room echoed with the sound of that superfast heartbeat, a few things happened. My wife felt relief from the weight of so many "what if"s and experienced her first moment of motherly joy. For her, it went from "I hate kids! they are mean" to "I will fight the fiercest battles for this creature". For me, the combination of that verification of life, and the relief of some of my worry over my wife... in that moment, I was a Dad, and have been ever since. It has been an experience of ups and downs, and a lot of skidding sideways; I think most dads will instantly recognize what I mean. It has been beautiful blue (and then beautiful multicolored, everchanging) eyes and bruises. What can I say? not only did they inherit my clumsiness, they took it to a whole new level. Toes, shins, knees... these were all targets that stairs and chairs just loved to attack. and when the first one was a little older, sideview mirrors were a nemesis. Even now, when technically an adult, floors still jump out at them. And I will be there, as long as they can tolerate me, to kiss each little bruise and owie, except, of course those ones where contact would make them hurt more, and then a kiss to the forehead and a hearty wish for it to travel. From that first audio connection to the first time I held their head in my hand and their little leg tucked between my arm and my chest, to the snuggles and sympathy for the youngest teenage heartbreaks, I am there for them. For the first little raising of a head, to the first band competition, to the opening of their fiancées proposal present, from the first tiny finger grip to the glory of whatever anime story that must be shared, I am there. I shall be known in this world as Daddy. So, for all of us who recognize the spirit of this post, enjoy the "Day of the Dad"