#kouta;

[diru-shinya]

Father’s Day.

First and foremost, Happy Father’s day to all the amazing, hardworking and loving dads out there!

It’s still surreal to realize that in these two years I’ve transitioned from celebrating Father’s Day in the honor of my own father, to actually getting to celebrate it in the comfort of my own house, with the family I managed to establish and provide for. It’s a very rewarding feeling to realize that finally in my 39 years of age I finally entered my father’s long awaited footsteps, and get to experience what it’s like to receive that little extra bit of love and gratitude from my already very appreciative surroundings. 

Words can’t describe how blessed I feel getting to celebrate this special day, graced by that wide smile and gleeful squeals, you’re the best gift a father could possibly wish for, little man. Father’s Day is a day that’s centered around all the hardworking daddies, but in reality, this special day still revolves around you, like all my days do and always have since the day you got born. 

Every single day, I’ll learn something new, see resemblances back into your boyish features or behavior that remind me; yes, this little package of joy is definitely my own, and I feel a great sense of astonishment and pride every time again and again. Little man, daddy’s little pumpkin, my baby boy, who’s already so big yet still so small, you’re the greatest gift of them all that keeps on giving.

Getting to wake up to your extraordinary high pitched squeals because you could no longer contain your excitement while you forced your present down my hands left me on the brim of tears, eating the breakfast you especially assembled in bed while wiping dollops of cream off your cheeks because you saw this as your opportunity to munch off the yummy toppings and knowing you’d get away with it had me doubling over, and getting to cuddle with you after because just like your dad you slump into a food coma left me content and whole. 

Little boy, you’re my rock, the center of my universe and so much more.  But most importantly you are my son. And without you I’d never have known what it’s like to be loved so unconditionally. 

I love you, and thank you, for being the amazing little man that you are.

[diru-shinya]

Good morning. Today will be a very special day; the day has finally come where little spunky will enroll into our local Hoikuen for the very first time! I'm not sure who's feeling more nervous about it, me or the little man in question himself. Packing your little backpack this morning it really struck me that you're growing bigger and bigger every single day, but no matter how big, you'll always be my little pumpkin.

[diru-shinya]

3 days, my little man. Until you’ve reached the milestone of wandering this earth for 2 whole years. Where did the time go? Trying to cram in some last minute birthday preparations before I have to go off to Osaka again to finish up the tour. I hope that the sound of crinkling wrapping paper doesn’t alert you, busting dad into the act of trying to wrap your presents.

[diru-shinya]

So much mischief caught in one picture. Deciding to run off with Dad’s wallet after I told you ‘no more Gachapon’.  ‘No more Gacha? Fine, let me hold that wallet for you, and run off with it as fast as I can!!’ 

[diru-shinya]

I want to hear your "Dear future Kouta" !!

Dear Future Kouta, 

I don’t know how old you’ll be at this point when I imagine your future you, perhaps because as a parent, I still selfishly wish for you to remain like the little spout you were when you were about a day old. You’re growing up so fast, your old men often have trouble keeping up with you. 

But I know that you’ll grow up to be a fine man, and that you’ll be able to grace anyone’s face with a soft smile. Right now, we’re truly starting to get to know you, you’ll show us your personal traits and temper when you dash through the place like a small tornado. You’re unstoppable, and I can already imagine you surpassing your old Dad one way or another with whatever you do. 

I know that you’ll make me proud, because you’ve already done so in about a thousand imaginable ways, just by being the little individual you are. At one point I’m sure we’ll manage to embarrass you, because that’s what dad’s do best, disappoint you, and fights probably won’t be excluded either, but as a father I very much look forward to hearing your true voice. 

With whatever you do, and wherever that may take you, you’ll always be the brightest star in my sky. 

- Dad.

[diru-shinya]

Father’s Day will be postponed to tomorrow, when we get back home again! But I can speak for two when I say that being your dad is the best gift in this entire universe. Thank you for enlightening our lives with your presence, little man.