Author: Tyler Baker
Editor: Ben Williams
Date: 2/10/2017
A
day where my daughter and I were capturing memories through the lense
of a camera, became a day filled with memories so vivid, no camera could
do it justice. The pictures are a beautiful addition to the everlasting
memories that were made on that day. The events of this day are as
fresh in my mind as the day they happened. It was perfect October
weather in Vermont. Orange and yellow leaves sparkled off the almost
still, pond. If there is ever a smell of seasons changing, it was this
day. It seemed as if something special was going to happen on this day,
but what? As we watched a small flock of birds fly from the water,
singing a beautiful tune; my daughter, who just turned one, pointed at
them, looked me, and rambled some incomprehensible sounds that ended
with a big beautiful smile directed right at me.
The photographer
then pointed to the nearby dock and said, “There, now is a perfect time
to capture you two sitting on the dock.” Holding my daughter, I walked
over to the dock grinning with elation as we were about to get our first
professional daddy-daughter pictures. I was not expecting what happened
next. A moment that was (and still is) one of the greatest moments I’ve
experienced as father. I knelt down and sat her on the dock; as I
placed her down, she reached up and latched onto my finger. She stood up
and took a step, then another, and then another, until I had to walk
along side of her. With every little step she took, instead of looking
ahead to where she was walking, her eyes were gazed upon me, with a
smile from ear to ear, expressing the greatest joy one could imagine as
she took her first steps. I didn’t want to draw attention to the
photographer during this important milestone in my daughter’s life, but I
was truly hoping she snapped some great shots of this spectacular and
proud moment in my life.
After the photo shoot, I began to ponder
on that moment and think what was going through my daughter’s ever so
young, but beautiful mind. Here is what I gathered: When your child
takes their first steps, and those first steps involve their hands
reaching out to you, they are saying, "I trust you, please make sure I'm
safe." My daughter worked enough mustard to stand, hold her hands out,
and say "I trust you, Dad". These are prominent moments in parenthood,
the very moments we as parents don't plan for; they are like unwritten
pieces of music, the unscripted moments and melodies, that just happen.
With
a soft, but firm grasp of my hand and complete trust and confidence in
me to protect her from the unknown, my daughter took her first steps.
There are no words to express this feeling, to definitively know, that
your child has put their faith and trust in you. No parent, lawyer, or
judge could come between us in that moment. It was just us, sharing a
connection, a bond. One that will be cherished and strengthened with
each day we spend together. I may be in-the-midst of ‘battle’ for my
daughter, but I am now assured, that she knows me as her protector. My
daughter, without words, gave me this title and no one can take that
away.
