Last year on Father’s Day, we brought Emmett home from the NICU after our first weekend entrenched in the harrowing experience of parenthood. Yesterday, we watched our freshly-minted 1-year-old boy squeal and repeatedly climb all over the playground, launching himself headfirst, upside down and backwards down the slide.
Two emergency room visits, hundreds of restless nights and moments of delight and desperation later, we’re celebrating his first birthday with a little family party today.
Through it all, I’ve tried to keep perspective thinking of my friends Tim and Gretchen, who welcomed triplet girls just two weeks after Emmett was born. Every time I melted down, I thought of their challenge and — although it turns out I didn’t know the half of it — our struggle seemed to shrink.
I’ll never forget the morning Tim and I met up for tea, me bumping out at around 24 weeks and he told me about their incredible pregnancy, which Tim chronicled in his fantastic blog. I was over at the Paluchs a couple of weeks ago and Gretchen (whose boundless grace never ceases to amaze and inspire me) mentioned Tim, my former editor, was writing again. I think I literally hopped with joy to hear it.
Whether or not you’re a parent, a great Father’s Day read this weekend is Tim’s personal essay for Esquire on becoming a dad: http://www.esquire.com/features/tim-paluch-hardest-decision?src=soc_fcbks
Tim gives voice beautifully to the fear and joy they felt. I’m so grateful to know these brave friends and to raise my kid alongside the Paluch 3-pack! 
