Five years old

Here’s my latest email to Teddy for his fifth birthday.

Hi Teddy

Tomorrow, you turn five years old. I can’t believe how fast those last five years have gone. But at the same time, I can barely remember the time when you weren’t in our lives.

I can’t imagine a time when you didn’t wake me at the crack of dawn on a weekend morning with a smile and a request for ‘breff-asst’ (despite being unwilling to rise on a weekday morning).

With each day that passes, you’re starting to show more of your personality. At (almost) five years old, we know you to be a kind and caring young lad. You’re sensitive and always consider how other people might be feeling.

You are naturally inquisitive and love learning more about the world you live in and the people who inhabit that life with you.

You love being around other people and always want them to have a nice time, just like you. That means you always share your sweets and your toys, even if you want to eat them or play with them yourself.

You are full of energy and love nothing more than running round and blowing off steam – especially at bedtime. Unless you’ve borrowed my phone or found your iPad, that is.

You are theatrical and love roleplaying games. Your imagination is something else. I am always bowled over by the games you invent for you and I to play. Though I am surprised just how often I play a daddy and you play a child called Teddy, even if you’re a pizza shop owner, a doctor or a footballer.

While you’re full of beans, you’re not yet a natural sportsman. But that’s ok, nor was I. And despite that, you always try – like at sports day last week or kicking a football with me. Though I do remember you told me recently that you don’t really love playing football, and that your favourite sport was actually jumping.

I love sitting and reading with you, as you get to grips with phonics. I also love sitting and watching Leeds with you, as you get to grips with that rollercoaster of emotions – at least for daddy.

Now your birthday is upon us, that means we’re nearing the school holidays. I can’t wait to have some adventures with you. They’ll start with exploring where we live and will see us taking days and weekends a bit further away.

Finally, for now, remember I love being your dad. I love just how happy you are to see me when I get home from your or from one of my occasional trips away. I’m never far from a huge hug and they keep me going on the more tiresome days.

When you read this email, you’ll know that I’ll be giving you the following advice:

Keep being you, keep being kind, keep being inquisitive and keep that open mind. Because those things make you you. Those things make you our perfect boy.

Love you always

Daddy