One couldn't have experienced more beautiful Easter weather in southwest Ohio this year if you had gone into a restaurant and ordered "sunny" off the menu. Â Gorgeous, gorgeous day with temperatures rising into the mid-70s. Â This was our first Easter with Aster and I'll cherish it always. It was just a fun, relaxing family-filled day. Â We took Aster to church in the morning. I think she enjoyed soaking in the surroundings: the choir, the musicians, the Easter lilies, and spit-and-polished people. Â Church is generally a lot less formal these days but that is a topic for another time. Â After church the whole rest of the day was spent with my family and Rachel's. Â Good food, family, faith, and fun, definitely a great day. Â By the time we got to Rachel's Mom's house late in the day Aster was in sore need of a nap, so she fell asleep in one of her favorite spots: on my shoulder. Â Where she stayed for almost two hours. Â So I just sat in a comfy chair on the back deck surrounded by woods and the setting sun and enjoyed having her sleep on my shoulder while watching the woods go aflame in the purple and pink of twilight.
Being a parent for the first time at age 41 does change you, but maybe not in the way I thought, or how I thought or as fast I thought.  And granted this is just my opinion.  But having a baby when you are 22 or 23 would seem to be a very different experience than having one at my age.  In some ways you're still a baby yourself  in your 20s (in retrospect) and you have to grow up with the child.  And at age 22,23, 25, you're naturally more flexible,  like soil to the baby's water.  By my age you've become set in your ways.  I had 40 years on my own, 40 years to probably become a little too self-centered.  A person (at least this person) is a bit ossified and calcified by my age.  So change comes slower, but I do find myself changing.  Aster's needs are my needs.  There are still days, fewer and far between, but Easter was one of them, where I find myself saying "she's really mine, Rachel and I made her and she'll be in our lives forever."  It's perhaps a more awe-filled feeling at 41 than in the roll-with-the-punches 20s.
This is Rachel, Aster, and I together yesterday on our first Easter.I love the dress Aster is wearing. Lovina made it and when we first got it we thought it would take her 2 years to grow into. But it fit her just great now. Â The Amish-style dress will also serve as a special memento of a special family and some genuinely good memories. Â The ebb and flow of life is odd and my college degree in philosophy was to help me understand life. But I still don't. Â I do, however, find myself settling into the role of Dad and thoroughly enjoying it. Â Aster is the name of a beautiful flower that blossoms during the autumn. Â There's something poetic and poignant in the cycle of life and its perennial schedule. Â I'm enjoying this journey so far.
Wendy P
I love the pictures of you and your sweet family. My first child was born at 35, so I hear where you're coming from! It is definitely a different experience from starting a family in your early 20's. There are advantages and disadvantages!
Teresa
What a beautiful post. Very enjoyable to read!
Noreen
Love the pictures Kevin - so happy for you all!!! You are blessed.
Love,
Noreen
Dorothy
Very nice family photo! Little Aster is adorable! I love the yellow dress!
Kathy Barnes
Thank you for posting the family pictures. You are a beautiful family. I'm thankful God blessed you with baby Aster she is a little doll. Aster's sweet yellow dress is perfect. Keep posting your families pictures I really enjoy them. God bless your family.
Kevin
Thank you so much for the kind words Kathy. Aster grows a little bit each day, I'm sure you'll see more pictures!-)
Missy
Such a beautiful family picture! We adopted our children when we were 41 and 45. You have a lot of time to think about how you would raise a child. Then they arrive and a lot of your "plans" goes out the window! Wishing you the best in the coming year.
Kevin
Thank you for the kind words, I'll be up in your area in the next week or so exploring GB country!
Helen
Thank you for posting the lovely pictures. Your daughter is so pretty and you are making many beautiful memories. Glad you had a blessed Easter.
Kevin
Thank you so much for the kind words Helen!
Susan
Thank you for sharing your beautiful family photos. Easter is a holiday for us to remember our blessings and what better blessings than little ones!
Linda from KY
I know I'm coming to this a bit late, but I just want to say what a beautiful family portrait that is. I enjoyed reading about your first Easter as a dad. Aster is so cute!
I was a mom for the first time at 21 and had my last child at 40. I'm a much more relaxed parent now than I was with my oldest. I don't know if it's a factor of age, experience or both. Anyway, I'm glad you're enjoying your new role as dad. I think it suits you very well.