I’m huge on seasons. I love the turn over. The change. The look back. The look ahead.

For the entirety of my life the seasons were constant and consistent.

A new spring, summer, fall, winter, or even an actual new year - I could mark my life by these chunks of time. They were repetitive and they never changed, except of course, the moments contained within. My point: a new season, at least as far as I’ve been alive, has never been added into the cycle.

Well, I was wrong. A new one was added a year ago today that I’m still reeling from.

On April 23rd at 5:05 PM, just before dusk, a baby girl entered the world. We named her Ruby, and then she named me. I’m now a dad and this was my first year on the job. Apparently new seasons can be created.

Our first year as parents has been as joyous as it has been hard and challenging. It has been as bitter as it has been sweet. It is a season I’m grateful has been forever added to the calendar and to our hearts.

We love our sweet and fiery Ruby more than words can express and so tonight we will celebrate. We will celebrate and give thanks to God for the beauty of life. We will celebrate that we made it. We will celebrate that we kept a small human alive for an entire year. And we will do so with steaks and champagne for mom and dad, and chocolate cake and presents for the birthday girl.

This is our Ruby and she is one year old today!