There will be a day when I will go to kiss my daughter and she will turn in such a way so that I kiss her cheek and not her lips. Then, there will be a day when I go to kiss her and she will turn away completely so that I can’t kiss her at all.
There will be a day when I go to give my daughter a hug and she’ll respond limply instead of the full on bear hugs that we were accustomed to giving each other.
There will be a day when I will invite her to a wrestling match and she will respond with a look of horror in her eyes. She will collect herself just in time to say, Dad, please. I’m so over that.
When those days come, I will mourn the loss of what once was. For now, I revel in my daughter’s desire to kiss me, to hug me unabashedly and to wrestle until our hearts are content.

Welcome to the blog of Joe Hays, minister for Christ's Church for Brooklyn. We are a loving community of believers who seek to be the hands and feet of Christ, in service to our neighbors in Boerum Hill, Brooklyn and beyond.


It will be OK, because something different, yet equally wonderful, will come in its place.
Sweet piece, Joe.
These are good times my friend and I too am enjoying them to their fullest!
Joe, there may be a period where she might get weird about the way you show her effection, but as a daughter I want to let you know that, I share an amazing bond with my Father, I am so close with him that nothing could take the love and effection I show him. Of course I am older now and mature, but I believe me when I tell you Sophia’s heart will always have a special place for you. I also believe with the values and lessons she has learned from you and Laura and the compassion she has in her heart will empower her to be an amazing loving woman and perhaps she won’t get weird!! Sophie may be the one in a million that still gives you the bear hugs and the butterfly kisses !!! Much love Sue
I’m a daddy’s girl, BIG TIME!!! My dad is my best friend. So I can tell you that I still give him the biggest hugs and kisses ever and we talk at least twice a day. So there’s a good chance that Sofia will not turn away as she gets older, but your relationship will only get better and closer.
AMEN! I have two and even the 9 month old gives good hugs, she doesnt wrestle very good though.