Bring Your Love To Me...

This is the 5th track on The Avett Brothers album "The Magpie and the Dandelion". It was released on October 15, 2013. 2 weeks later we would find out that Katy was pregnant. I had been listening to this album, basically, non-stop since it was released. I sorta liked this song, but when I found out that I was going to be a father, it took on a new meaning to me.

The hours we spent in the hospital awaiting Amelia's arrival were equal parts of what we expected coupled with doses of surprises. The first surprise was that Katy was already in labor upon our arrival. Can I just say that my wife is one of the toughest people I know?!?! Also, she performed like a champ that evening and following day. We watched several comforting/light movies that we brought, and settled in for a long night and day. The nurses and doctors told us to sleep...yeah right! That was great advice, but a little hard to follow with all the adrenaline coursing through my veins.

I tried to sleep dreaming of what Amelia would look like, picturing Katy and myself holding her while our families surrounded us. Prior to that day, I hadn't really been able to imagine what that day would look like, so I was really enjoying it. We had music ready and a gameplan for the big arrival. The room was bustling with activity beginning around 3:30pm on June 5th. Nurse Tanya told us that soon there'd be another person with us, and all of a sudden, there she was.

I was told all about what to expect from books, family, friends, the internet, and many others, but nothing could have prepared me for those first few moments, minutes, and hours. While I was driving around listening to these lyrics in October of 2013, June 5, 2014 seemed so far away:

"Bring our love to me

I will hold it like a newborn child

One of my own blood

I might just even sing a song

To keep it calm" 

I was helpless in Amelia's first 2 hours of life. I couldn't do anything to comfort or calm her. All I could do was pray, and trust that the nurses and doctors would do their best for Amelia, Katy, and myself. I had no idea what to do. I walked back to Katy's room to give her an update. I paced the hallways to give my family an update. I went back to check on Amelia. I would retrace these steps and scenarios several times over the next hour. I was a wreck. I just wanted to hold her, calm her, be with Katy, and celebrate our new family.

Fast forward eight months, countless lullaby playlists plays, lost voices, and long nights later - I love singing that song to Amelia. It reminds me of one of the most joyous moments of my life. It reminds me of how much I love Katy, and am proud of her. It reminds me of how much I instantly loved Amelia. It reminds me of how much I love music, and love singing to Amelia. It allows the chance to dream and look forward to what she'll mean to our lives. It reminds me of how much love I have for the many people and things for which I care.

These have been the 8 greatest months of my life, and I can't wait to learn to rest of the notes that will be the music we share.