I can recall an emotion from childhood. It's an uncontrollable burst of happiness, positive energy, anticipation, and gittiness, all rolled into one. It's that feeling you got when a friend called you up and told you they just got that one toy that you guys have been fawning over for months. You ask your mom if you can go, and she says yes. You quickly get dressed and try to walk quickly to your friend's house. You find yourself running unconsciously. You're bursting with anticipation and joy. Your mind is doing laps and your body can't keep up.

I haven't had that feeling in a long long time.

Then, my kids were born. As they grow up, I see them experiencing the types of joy and happiness as I have described above. I see them laugh uncontrollably. I see them explode with joy over the smallest of positive surprises. I see how they discover the world and experience new pleasant experiences. I see their emotions when they unbox a birthday gift. I literally feel a portion of it. It's incredible!

That feeling is back.

As the father of two girls, I relate to all of this. I'm sure you've heard this 1000 times, but they grow up fast, so enjoy they time you get with your daughter.

The lonely hours are valuable, and after you have kids, rare.

But, speaking as one who is closer to the end of the process than the beginning, my biggest regret is that so often I didn't take the time or make the effort to give them love and attention when I could have.