Three years ago today, Sapphira Anne Firth was born. I was lucky enough to be there when Banu went into labor all the way until Sapphira came home and we all slept together like a new little pack. After Sapphira was born, Banu was completely exhausted and needed a few minutes to compose herself, so I got to hold Safi while the doctors weighed and measured and wiped and probed and swabbed her. Then they wrapped her up and I took her to Banu. I can't remember ever feeling as happy as I did that day. We spent some time in that room, then they moved us to a regular room, where Banu and Safi quickly went to sleep. The nurses soon came in to get Safi, and Banu said, "Don't let her out of your sight!" but she didn't need to say it.

While walking with Safi to get Safi's ears and eyes checked, and to get some shots, I could smell her on my hands. Now, I don't really have a very good sense of smell because of a serious car accident when I was 13, but I could definitely smell Safi all day that day walking around the hospital.

Ever since that day, my life has gotten better and better. Safi woke me from years of depression and anxiety. When we found out that Banu was pregnant, I started exercising and taking care of myself, because I wanted to grow old with Banu and Safi. I didn't want to leave them stranded. So because of Safi, I am healthier and happier than I've been in many, many years.

Safi's sense of humor frequently catches me by surprise. The other day she and I were in the basement. I think she had just learned the word "belong" and she was trying it out with me. She said, "Dad, we're in the basement." "Yep." "The cats belong in the basement." "Yeah, the cats spend a lot of time down here." "And the boys belong in the basement." "Yeah, Aaron, Ryan and Brig live down here." "But WE don't belong down here, Daddy. Let's get out of here." I'm still laughing about that as I type it.

Safi is so ahead of those "two-year-old milestone" websites. Because of she's in the preschool with the 3-, 4- and 5-year-olds, she does a lot of things that most newly-turned 3-year-olds haven't even thought of yet. She can count to about 18 (sometimes 16, sometimes 19), she's known her abc's forever. She can identify all the letters and knows the sounds of many of the letters. Just the other day, we were all in the car and she was saying each of our names, then saying what letter our names start with. No one had ever told her. I was blown away. She can hop on one foot, she loves sledding and snow, she loves the cats and the dogs and she also loves Tink. She's got a beautiful smile and there is no more delightful sound in the world than the sound of her laughter.

I miss her terribly when I'm on the road, and I'm sad I can't be with her on her birthday this year. Safi, I know you can't read this, but I still want to say happy birthday! I'm so honored and lucky to be your daddy.