Oregon 2020
By: Edward Arthur Dalton & The Dream Chasing Family
To our unborn little miracle boy on his way:
This last-minute road trip to the Pacific Northwest marked the beginning of your mom’s 3rd trimester, and hopefully the first of many adventures with you! It served as our much needed “babymoon” amid this crazy COVID-19 pandemic. So far, you have been the only welcome news 2020 has brought, and we couldn’t be more excited for your arrival to end this crazy year on a good note. 6 months down, only 3 more to go!
Sarah and I like to daydream about the fun (and frustration) we will have with you, what your dreams and ambitions will be, who you will become, and the places you’ll go. But, only time will tell exactly what that looks like. So far, we know you love food because it ALWAYS makes you kick, and Sarah has never craved it like she does now. I am getting a sense that you might be hyperactive, because you don’t seem to stop kicking, or at least once Sarah stops moving, you start.
We have a lot of fun going on adventures, but we have always wanted to share our passions for life with our own children. As you’ll learn, we (like too many others dealing with infertility) had a really rough road getting here, but not before we deeply feared it might never happen. You can thank your mom’s tirelessly loving heart for being so resilient and dedicated to that seemingly unreachable dream, even when she had no tangible results to hold on to. Not to mention a whole lot more people who believed in us - but mostly you.
Their many names are each written on a piece of a framed puzzle depicting a longing mother with empty arms. It hangs in our home as a constant reminder of our overwhelming gratitude for the resources, love, support, and prayers others selflessly gave (and we desperately needed) to chase our biggest dream of parenthood. We feel undeservingly blessed, and indescribably grateful that God sent us nothing short of a miracle. If we could make you half as proud of us as we are of you, it would be our life’s greatest success.
We can’t wait for the good… and the ugly (sigh); to swing you between our arms on the beach, change your poopy diapers, teach you to ride a bike, clean up your messes, take you on hikes, listen to your tantrums, and I’m sure a whole lot more than we thought we were signing up for.
If you are old enough to read this, you probably think we don’t have a clue in the world. But, try to be patient and go easy on us. This is our first time doing this, and I promise we are trying our best - even if it doesn’t always look like it.
Remember; challenges are opportunities, problems always get better, and a good sense of humor goes a long way. Don’t take life too seriously, but don’t be reckless. If you offend, say sorry and mean it. Don’t make final judgments about anyone. When your feelings are hurt, forgive - which is harder to do than hate, but hurts far less. Chase your dreams, shoot for the stars, and don’t be afraid to fail, or laugh at yourself when you do (because you will). ALWAYS try again. Whatever you do, do your very best, and then a little more.
If you need a role model, look up to your mom. When I wrote this, she was far better at these things than I. Chances are, she still is!
At last, know that we both love you forever, and can hardly wait any longer to start our greatest adventure together as a family of three! In the words of the brave Goonies from the quaint town of Astoria, Oregon - one of our favorite stops:
“It’s our time down here.”
XOXO,
Mom & Dad.
Not pictured, but present; the 3rd Dalton Goonie in front of Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach, Oregon 👶｜The Dream Chasing Family
