David G.

Daddy’s Little Girls

For as long as I can remember, I wanted to be a Dad. I was the youngest of four kids, and although I didn't have any baby brothers or sisters, I had plenty of nieces and nephews. The joy a child brings into a household is like no other feeling, and I couldn't wait to have a child call me “Daddy.”

I've always known I'd be a great dad. We are all products of our own environment and we typically emulate what we've seen or experienced. I learned firsthand from the best one out there, my Dad, thus, the reason I always knew I'd be a great dad. I couldn't have asked for a better childhood in terms of the love, protection, and support my Dad provided me. He made me feel as though I could be anyone and do anything. This was exactly how I wanted my children to feel. What's funny is, although I always wanted to be a dad, I wasn't always sure I wanted to be married. I wasn't always sure how that was going to play out until I found the love of my life.

Janelle and I had been together for eight years, purchased 2 homes together, moved across the country together and were unmarried with no kids. We were what my Dad would call DINKS (Dual Income No Kids) because we were both extremely career-focused and driven to climb our respective corporate ladders. Janelle wanted kids as badly as I did, but she also wanted to get married, and at that point, so did I. Next thing I know we are engaged, and Janelle lets me know, she's pregnant. I can't explain the excitement and the joy I felt hearing those words from her. I wanted to be apart of everything, including attending every doctor’s appointment. I wasn't really nervous about fatherhood; as I mentioned before I had the best dad to learn from.

I was just so excited. I remember the day my first child was born; I was awakened early in the morning to "I think my water just broke.” And I frantically gathered our bag of clothes while trying to put my contacts in. It seemed like it was within a matter of minutes from the time we got to the hospital until the doctor said, “It was time.” Seeing my daughter for the first time made my heart full to the extent I never thought it could be. I couldn't take my eyes off of her; she was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen. That feeling was replicated with the birth of my second daughter. So, yes I'm a dad of all girls and I wouldn't want it any other way.

When my family and friends found out Janelle was pregnant, they all assumed I'd want a boy. But from day one, I always wanted girls. I couldn't wait to have my own version of “Daddy's Little Girls,” where they'd have me wrapped around their tiny little fingers. And believe me, that's exactly what they’ve done. I'm sure their mom would tell you how she always has to be the bad guy because I'm a softy when it comes to my girls (and she's right). Being a dad is the greatest achievement in my life. I want nothing more than to be everything to my girls that my Dad was to me. It's hard to imagine that my girls are already 9 and 7 years old. People weren't lying when they said: “Time flies and your kids will be grown before you know it.”

Over the past year, I quit my well paying, comfortable, cushy job, and became an entrepreneur. A big reason why was my girls. I wanted to ensure I spent as much time being apart and around for their childhood as much as possible; I wanted to make sure I didn't miss a single gymnastics meet or dance recital. I wanted to be able to take them to school and pick them up and take them to practice. Those conversations and time spent driving together are invaluable. The past year has been amazing because I got the chance to stay home. If there was one knock on my Dad, it would be this; he worked a lot and didn't always make it to every event of mine. I guess no one is perfect.

— David G.

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