This one is probably my first and only lifelong project, our odyssey through parenthood. Our daughter came into this world in 2020, amidst the tumult of a global pandemic that gripped us all. Each day, we held onto hope, yearning for the day when travel restrictions would ease, allowing our parents to join us, to lend their wisdom and support in this extraordinary time. But alas, it was not to be.
The path to parenthood was fraught with uncertainty. I remember vividly the bumpy ride of my wife’s pregnancy, where I was relegated to waiting outside the hospital doors until the eve of delivery. She faced the check-ups and consultations alone, while I could only offer my support from a distance. On the day our daughter entered the world, I stood by her side, camera in hand, a silent witness to the miracle unfolding before us. The nurse chuckled at my earnest attempts to capture every moment, my camera clutched tightly in my right hand as I held onto my wife with the other.
As first-time parents, we found ourselves thrust into a world turned upside down, isolated from the support networks we had envisioned. Yet, amidst the uncertainty and fear, there was beauty in the simplicity of our days. Working from home for the next two years, I had the privilege of witnessing our daughter’s every milestone, from her first steps to her first words. But it was the in-between moments, the quiet routines and fleeting glances, that truly captured her essence—the way she found joy in the simplest of things, like playing with freshly laundered clothes or pausing to watch the world go by before entering her daycare.
In a world filled with chaos and uncertainty, watching our daughter grow has been the greatest gift of all. It’s a journey I will forever cherish, a tapestry of moments woven together with love, laughter, and endless wonder. And as we navigate the challenges that lie ahead, I am filled with gratitude for the opportunity to be her father, to bear witness to the extraordinary journey of her life.
