I woke up in one of those moods: the kind that makes you think too much about how fast your kids are growing. It’s Logan’s birthday today, and as I ponder his short life so far, sometimes it still blows my mind that he actually came out of me. Most days, those memories feel distant, like someone else’s story. Other days, they’re as fresh—and as unavoidable—as wet dog poop. Before I could get too deep in my feelings, I went to grab Logan for a quiet moment while the house was still asleep. I carried him downstairs, his head heavy on my shoulder, and just sat there in the kitchen holding him. He didn’t say a word—not even a smile. He just clung to me like he knew his life was about to change in a few hours. He’d still be small enough to carry and cuddle after today, sure, but not like this. I held him tighter, trying to imprint the memory in my soul, until Sophia came down and ruined the moment in the best possible way.
She’d been up half the night planning his new toddler room, apparently inspired by an “under the sea” set she saw online and couldn’t live without. This, right here, is reason #138 why men should marry women smarter than they are. Redecorating was the last thing on my mind, but she was always three steps ahead of me. Because of her, our kids never lacked a thing.
I started breakfast while Sophia handled Logan. Desiree hadn’t come down yet, so I ate alone, watching Logan drift off milk-drunk in his mother’s arms. Desi’s computer was still open on the counter, Gammy’s old blog glowing on the screen, so I scrolled through a few more posts while the smell of French toast filled the kitchen. Moments later, my little lovebug appeared.
“Well, look who decided to join us,” I said.
“Shut up, Daddy.”
She couldn’t be offended if she tried. The light in her eyes could’ve powered the entire neighborhood, and her smile was wide enough to make me forget every late-night worry. I was happy for her—really happy—but there was something I needed to address, and I set the trap gently.
“So, uhhh, I see you changed your relationship status…”
“You did??” Sophia blurted. Then, remembering the sleeping baby in her arms, she whispered, “Congrats, sweet potato,” and immediately pulled up Social Bunny to confirm it herself.
“I’m happy for you too,” I said. “But since it’s real now, let’s talk about being responsible. Official relationships are still serious business even when you’re young. That means respecting each other’s boundaries … like being mindful of time.”
She frowned, catching my drift. She’d been late again last night. I let it slide after prom since it was her first offense, and again last night because she came home glowing. But I didn’t want her disregard for curfew to become a habit and had to put my foot down and be the parent.
As expected, she rolled her eyes. “It was only 30 minutes!”
“It doesn’t matter, Des. Curfew isn’t about the clock—it’s about keeping your word. Character gets built in the small stuff. How do you expect to have a strong backbone if you keep breaking promises just because something feels good? You’re wiser than that.”
“I think you’re making a big deal out of nothing,” she said.
“You can think that. But if I say no the next time you want to go out, maybe you’ll think about this conversation. Clock that.”
Her face wrinkled up. “That’s not fair! And you don’t even know how to use that word in a sentence!”
Sophia snickered behind me.
“Maybe not,” I said. “Just do better next time. Okay?”
“Fiiiiine.”
