I knew those words.
June kept reading.
“I’m 27. I’m scared all the time. I don’t know how to be a father, but I know I’m not going anywhere.”
I fell out of my chair, my knees hitting the floor, and the camera nearly slipped out of my hand!
Somebody beside me reached for my elbow, helping me back into my seat. I couldn’t look at them.
When she said, “Our father,” she meant me. She had always meant me!
Up on the stage, my daughter stopped reading, looked straight down the aisle, straight at the teary man in row seven, and continued.
I fell out of my chair!
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June’s voice steadied as she read the different entries.
“To my three girls. I don’t know how to do this. I don’t know how to be what you need. But I’m going to stay. I’ll never be the dad you deserve, but I’ll be the one who shows up.”
Ava picked up where her sister left off, her voice cracking.
“I promise you breakfast every morning, even if it’s burnt. I promise you’ll never wonder where I am.”
Claire finished.
“I love you more than I knew a person could love anything. Happy first birthday!”
