Let me begin.
There's always a feeling of melancholy at the end of a road trip. Reflective thoughts on the miles you've ridden, the places you've been and the people you've met. There is a bit of sadness that is hard to shake, but also the excited sense of anticipation at what lays ahead, that next trip. What adventures will it bring? As I write, there is another journey that is coming to an end, and, like road trips, another journey about to begin.
A little over 10 years ago, I found myself making my way through this world as a single father of two little boys. Through whatever stroke of luck or touch of grace, I met Angie and we began to date. We had been dating several weeks when we met the "rest" of our collective "package deals". Hers came in the form of a beautiful little 7 year old girl named Haiden. Now, keep in mind, I am the youngest of four boys. Until my nieces came in the late 80's, it had been over 30 years since a girl had been born anywhere in my family. It's a common joke to say that men know very little about women, but I knew absolutely nothing about little girls.
But here I was. The relationship between Angie and I grew quickly, as did my fondness for Haiden. Angie was doing an amazing job as a single mother working two jobs to raise and support her daughter. It was not a long courtship before I fell in love, though I'm not sure which beautiful, blue eyed brunette I fell in love with first. I think back on the days of playing game cube in the floor with Haiden, and of Bratz dolls and Barbies. Evenings spent sprawled on the couch watching TV, her delicate frame lying on top of me like a blanket. I am warmed by the thoughts of those nights that I would tuck her into bed. Picking her up, long legs wrapping around my waist, head on my shoulder as I carried that sweet girl to bed, and covered her with a quilt. A Scooby Doo video was a must as well as the final words of the night, "Good night sweetheart, I love you."
Angie and I married and the boys came to live with us full time and as such we were able to completely blend our families. We set off down the road of life.
By the time you get to read this, one journey for Haiden will come to a close. My Princess is graduating from High School and will soon begin the next of life's adventures.
I had sat down tonight to get some of my thoughts about this milestone out in front of me to begin to sort them all out. I decided to use this blog as the venue for those thoughts. By the time you read it, I don't know how much I will have changed, or deleted, or just kept between Haiden and I, but....
This is my letter to my Princess...
I always knew this day was coming. It's hard for me to imagine what life was like before you arrived in it. I had a friend a long time back who also had sons, about the same age as Carter and Brandon. He would always tell me, "Buddy, there's nothing like a daughter". I never completely grasped what he was telling me. It's not that the love one has for sons is any less, but when you came along, it clicked. That love one has for a daughter is different.
There was something special about you from the moment I met you. A sparkle in your eyes and an understanding of the world and life that I'd never seen in a child your age. You were smart beyond your own good and wise beyond your years, yet your heart was as tender and affectionate as a baby. It has been such a privilege to watch you grow, to see you change. I think back with fond memory of your passage from childhood into a young lady. You'd become a teenager and with it brought you new challenges as well as new challenges for your mother and I. You learned about life along with us. Parents become accustomed to sleepless nights and worry and we were no exception but you learned from your experiences and learned how to make your way, as well as leave your mark. I watched in loving awe as the cocoon opened and out into the world flew the butterfly.
Your mother and I have never used the term "step". There are no "step parents" or "step children" in our home, only parents and children. I have never looked at you with any eyes other than that of a father who loves every fiber of your being. I've told you before, I might not have arrived in your life until you were seven, but God knows, I got here as fast as I could. I hope you've always felt the authenticity of my love for you. I have given you all that I have in my heart and soul and along with your mother, I have done my best to raise you into the splendid young woman you've turned out to be. Thank you for giving me that chance. Thank your for accepting me into your life. Thank you for taking my sons to be your brothers, and for loving them no differently than if you'd been there the day they were born. Thank you for letting me have the heart of your mother.
Thank you for allowing me to stand in the gap for you.....
And now, here you are. The great bridge between adolescence and adulthood. You are focused and prepared to set the world on its ear. I can't wait to see what lies ahead for you. Whatever it is, you will be excellent at it. Why shouldn't you be? You've always been perfect in my eyes. The world belongs to you. Go and make it a better place, my Princess. With every breath in my lungs and every beat of my heart, I love you Haiden Leigh.
I hope all of you will join me in congratulating Haiden Leigh Diffee on her graduation with Honors from South Gibson County High School. She will continue working at the store in Jackson through the summer until the time that she will pack her bags and move to Murfreesboro to attend college at Middle Tennessee State this fall. She'll be working for my brother Tom over at the Murfreesboro store. Y'all stop by and see her before she leaves and breaks my heart again...
Thanks for listening and as always, Ride Safe and with Purpose.
Scott
