If your wondering about the title- it's something you tell me every single day. When I carry you into school (everyday because you REFUSE to walk) I always ask if you know how much daddy loves you. You stretch your arms, neck, and legs and go "THIS BIG", and I always tell you the same thing- "not even close boo boo- daddy loves you WAY more".
As I sit in front of this laptop tonight you are less than a 1/2 hr away from being 4 years old in less than a month. Yup- daddy thinks about it that much! People used to tell me that high school would be the fastest 4 years of my life. Then they told me to appreciate every minute of college- because not only would it fly by, but it would also be the best 4 years of my life. Well, I'm sure some of those people had children- but they certainly didn't have Camryn Elyse Patton, because if they did, there's no way they would have made such stupid statements. My truth is that at 36 years old, I barely remember anything B.C. (before Cam). If someone was to ask me my fav old school memory, I wouldn't have one- because I'd be cycling through you and I at Home Depot when you were so small I had to strap your car seat into the little basket at the front of the cart and the cashier telling that she could tell that you and I were two peas in a pod because we were ALWAYS together, or you at 2 holding my hand bossing me around Mystic Aquarium, and of course my all time favorite memory- a month before your 2nd birthday- you putting your arms around my back singing "Tomorrow" from Annie. I bet if I even mention it to your Grandma- she's cry because she watched it- and Grandma don't cry :)
I never expected it to be so easy so quickly. You were supposed to change everything I did. I had a daughter- who was going to need me 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I think the first sentence you could say after you learned to walk was "I can do it". Meaning Daddy had to sit there and watch you go through trial and error at one years old without you needing a hand to hold onto. My biggest win now is just knowing that YOU know that before you can even stumble- Daddys hand is on your back so your always upright! But your still that independent soul at 3 years old and I can't argue with it one bit. Me and mommy get an unbelievable amount of compliments from your school about who you are on almost a weekly basis (I have to figure out a way to scan and post your test scores:) and while we take the credit for sure- we both know that you are something way more special than a simple reflection of what we've done so far.
It's so bittersweet being a parent. The best 4 years of my life are the first years of yours. The countless moments that we've had, that cause me to tear up, that have your mom, your grandma, your godma and so many others just shaking their heads at who you are already- you won't even remember. Then again- Daddy has gone through a million nicknames with you already- we started with Pinky Linky Fat Fat, went to L.C., Boo Boo, Momma, Smiley Kincade, and others- but the one we have now is the most perfect- makes you and me smile every time we say it-which makes me think that regardless of what the future holds- you know EXACTLY what it is right now- and always is- SPECIAL PATTON! SPECIAL PATTON! SPECIAL PATTON. thats exactly who and what you are!
Daddy loves you!
