Dear Little one,

With a red frock and a wand in hand, you are a year old and standing at your birthday party.

“Who throws a Harry Potter-themed party for a year old?” the world asked, but you are a Potterhead’s daughter, and I know you wouldn’t care when you get older.

The wizarding world of JK Rowling, the famous fives and secret sevens, and Amar Chitra Katha. There’s an entire world for you to explore for the first time. But that’s the future.

Today, my love, you turned One.

There’s something weird about that; You are one year Old.

No longer are we counting your age by the number of days or number of months; We now count it in years.

Somehow, though it is; it feels weird to say it. It’s as if you are growing old.

One year of being your dad has been a privilege.

I never thought Domestic life was ever my style. It was all about Ambition and Passion.

There was a Universe to explore and a world to learn about. It was all about the outside and what I could do there.

Then I met you, and everything changed.

What’s the beauty of the Inverness compared to your smile?

What’s the sound of the thunderous Victoria falls next to you calling me dada?

What’s the magnificence of the Masai Mara Natural Reserve next to you climbing up the stairs?

What’s the serenity of the Vatican compared to watching you sleep?

My Universe is all about you, and my world revolves around you now.

You have my eyes but your mother’s smile.

She’s an amazing person, your mom. Calm, efficient, and Clever. We are lucky to have her. She put me on towards a path of life where now I am sitting next to you and her by my side, and somehow the world seems complete.

I never thought I’ll get jealous over anything, but then I see you accept the spoon when your mom feeds you after refusing me or when you want to your mother to hold you when I have my hand outstretched, I feel envy surging through my veins.

We both have her, you know. She’s your mother and my wife. Remember this, though; Your mom will be the steady lighthouse acting as a Wayfinder as I your dad will always be an agent of chaos. She’s the yin to my yang; but most importantly, she will be our protector.

Also, You can walk on your own now. You don’t need us to carry you around everywhere. But every time you raise your hands up, look up at us, and go, “dada” or “amma,” our hearts skip a beat. There will come a time when you don’t need us to carry you around anymore, and I have teared up sometimes just thinking about it, but then that’s just how the world works, right?

Parenthood is one long act of letting go.

You stood wand in hand and broke my heart. You looked so beautiful.

I know most people find it weird that a one-year-old has a Wizarding world themed party, but then that’s how your life is going to be.

Your father doesn’t believe in miracles. But, he grew up on science fiction and fantasy.

Whilst you will begin with Enid Blyton, I so am waiting for the day when I introduce you to the world of Star Wars, Star Trek, Doctor Who, and Issac Asimov.

Yep, your dad’s a nerd, and you hopefully, you will learn to enjoy it the way I do too.

The world’s big, scary, and infinitely beautiful. It has a lot to offer, but then remember, most of the time, what we require the most is a hand to hold.

I promise you, I’ll be around; Not just for your first day of school, first recital, first dance but rather for every single day as long as you wish to have me by your side.

I will be there to hold your hand.

Year One went by soo fast. Now, I just have the rest of my life to spend with you.

Sometimes, I get worried.

I am introducing you to the world with many labels already foisted upon you. Your nationality, your religion & your culture to name a few. You are not trapped in them. Whilst, you will be taught what these labels mean, you are under no obligation to follow them.

You didn’t choose to be born. Born at this time period, born here in this location and born here with me as your dad. I owe you everything and hopefully will create a strong foundation for you build something crazy big later on.

There is so much to do, see and experience together.

My daughter, year one is over. The rest of your life has just begun.

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