15 Years Later...

Sarah in Shinjuku. May 11th, 2009.

Fifteen years ago today, I met the most awesome lady via telephone dating, a fact that makes us sound like absolute fossils to a bunch of you, I'm sure.

On January 22nd of that year, we thought we were kind of amazing together and really enjoyed kissing each other.

Ten years later, we got hitched.

Almost five years after that, we now have a charismatic toddler.

It's been a fantastic ride so far, Sarah. I can't think of another woman I'd want to share my life with. I'm so glad we found each other.

Dante: Birthday #2

Two years ago, Dante came into our lives, and he turned everything upside-down.
I wouldn't change a thing.
Happy birthday, you beautiful little guy.

One Year Old!

Dante and his pirate self (which was used in his birthday party invite).

My lil' man turned one today! After all this time, I'm still in disbelief that he's here. We had his birthday celebration the week before, because Sarah had to return to work today (BOOOO!). Many thanks to everyone that showed up that day. It was truly special.
For a chronological look at the dude, look here and here.

On the Eve of My First Father's Day

Photo by my lovely wife. She's awesome.

I'll be frank: getting to spend more time with my son this year has been the highlight of a rather shittastic 2011. The surprised and happy look he gives me when I come downstairs in the morning makes me feel like every day is The Dad Show. No drug can replicate that.
However, if someone were to create a drug capable of such a thing, they'd make a killing.

I won't make any bones about this, either: I'm a better dad than my own. Mine SUCKS. He's an ignorant, sexist, philandering Neanderthal. The best thing he did for me, other than donate DNA, was provide an apex example of what a dad shouldn't be. In some way, I should be thankful for that, but I'm hard pressed to give him credit for anything. Can you blame me?

"Stop being baby daddies, and be fathers..."
– "Why", Fashawn

Ready For His Close-Up

Dante, as photographed by my homie, Jeope Wolfe. You rule, sir.
I look at this face with a mix of awe, pride and disbelief every day. It doesn't get any better than that.

Merry Christmas!

My son is unaware of Christmas, but he does deserve a little slack.
He's only been around for six weeks. All the best to you and yours!

Dante David Thor Lorde: The Fact Sheet

The little man in his hospital-provided toque (uh..."woolen hat" for those of you outside of Canada).

• Full Name: Dante David Thor Lorde
• Born: November 12th, 2010 at 2:00 PM. Right on time, and two weeks late.
• Parents: Sarah and Allan Lorde
• Vital Stats:
  Weight: 8 lbs., 12 oz. | Length: 20¾ inches
• Temperament: Mellow. Becomes agitated when hungry, like his old man. Working on the sleeping thing. This kid's got a weird internal clock.
• Name Breakdown:
  Dante: Dante's namesake is legendary rap insider Dante Ross. I first heard him mentioned in De La Soul's classic debut 3 Feet High and Rising, specifically on the skit "Can U Keep a Secret?" ("Dante is a scrub!") As a 14 year-old kid, I though "Dante" was a pretty cool name, and it stuck with me. I'm glad Sarah thought it was pretty cool, too. For the record, I found out about Dante Alighieri a few years later.
  Fun fact: Mr. Ross is represented in the 3 Feet High and Rising liner notes as a talking duck with a brush cut. Awesome.
  David: Carrying on the tradition – there are three Davids in the McCulloch family, and it's also the middle name of Sarah's father.
  Thor: This one's for Sarah's mom. She had suggested it for years, half-jokingly. We thought, "why not?" There are Swedes in Sarah's family. Norse mythology in the house!

• P.S.: The pesticide and wrestling connotations in his initials (D.D.T.) are no accident. I won't lie...it made us laugh a little. It's a built-in nickname! J.R.R. Tolkien crossed my mind a few times, too.
• Bonus link: Dante Ross talks about a Ol' Dirty Bastard/LL Cool J collab that never got off the ground. Classic!