Not everyone is meant to be a parent.

Some people want to be one, but it doesn’t work out for them.

Some people don’t want to be one, but they become parents anyway.

I always wanted to be a parent.

It’s not like I dreamed of being a dad or anything. But I always knew that I wanted to have kids.

I didn’t over think it. I didn’t spend too much time in my youth thinking about it.

But it was there.

It was a given. For me.

And I had no idea what it involved.

I had some ideas about parenting. Things my parents did that I thought were good. And some things that I knew I would do differently.

Still, it was overwhelming when our kids were born.

It’s hard to describe that feeling of responsibility that washes over you when you become a parent.

This little person’s life depends on you. Literally.

It’s humbling.

And I felt a generational bond to my ancestors. I was part of a long line of humans.

Deb and I were full on participating in the circle of life. There was a cosmic element to this feeling.

The feeling continues even though our kids are grown and starting their own lives.

Being a parent continually evolves. Each stage brings different responsibilities and opportunities.

In the end, it isn’t so much what you teach your kids, but what they teach you.

I thought I understood love. Being with Deb.

Then Caileigh, Keaton, and Tara came along. And my heart grew and grew to accommodate them.

I had only scratched the surface of love.

As our kids grow into themselves, they bring other people into our lives.

And the love continues to grow even more.