but see your
mom
in this photo.
we used to
come to this place,
and walk
down this same street,
and talk about
a future with you,
before you were you,
and watch similar
clouds roll
over us.
and last year i
was here with you,
but you couldn’t walk,
and you had no
words for the
things you loved
and hated.
and now…
you walk these
streets with me,
picking up rocks,
throwing them as
far as you can,
yelling “birdie”
and “fock”
(which i think is frog, but sounds more like “fuck”),
and yelling for
any person who may
be too far
ahead or behind
you on this road.
and i think about
a future with you,
a future that
will be nothing
short of perfect,
despite the imperfect start.
so keep running,
throwing, and kinda
swearing, ’cause
it makes me happy.
24 Comments
Beautiful picture of Maddy!!
“and i think about
a future with you,
a future that
will be nothing
short of perfect,
despite the imperfect start.”
Gave me chills.
Beautiful picture of Miss Maddy!! Yes, she does look just like her mama in this shot…bittersweet for you, I am sure!!
Beautiful words as always Matt…hope you are having an awesome time in Mexico 
she is gorgeous, just like her mom.
Oh man, I CANNOT wait for your book! Maybe an early release is in order?
Wow Liz this is all I can say about that photo!
gulp
gorgeous!!
thanks Matt.
you made me cry.
So very bittersweet.
Just wait until she actually says, “Fuck.” It will be momentus. You will laugh.
She certainly looks like her mom in that one! And Maddy has the most amazing collection of dresses! Living in England my little one hardly has the chance to wear dresses and I covet Maddy’s awesome dress wardrobe and all the sunshine you two enjoy!
Vida (almost Maddie’s age) calls squirrels, ‘fro-ders’. It took a month for me to figure that one out. For the longest time, we thought she was saying, ‘oh shit’ but it was ocean or at least we convinced ourselves and her.
you are best dad & husband in this world
You made me cry…
I think that after reading everything you have written in this blog for nearly 2 years, this one affected me the most.
I’ve always said and thought how lucky Maddy is to have a father who literally gives her the world, “despite the imperfect start”.
Totally agree with Nina’s comment…she is lucky to have you for a dad.
Now, this one made me cry. And she does look just like her mother. You two are lucky to have each other for the rest of your lives.
*chokes up again*
Hello from Bangkok,
Just seeing Rachel Ray show and Madeline was much younger then.
Nothing much to say except I am sure that both of you have made Liz pround.
Have a great year ahead for both of you.
She’s got her Daddys mouth and her mothers beautiful looks!!
Matt- I just found out about you earlier this week and I have already bought the book and am half way through- pretty amazing since I am on the go and BUSY from 4:30 a.m. until 9 p.m. daily. I love you, and Maddie, and the image you have painted for me of the person Liz was. Thank you a million times for sharing yourself with me and the world! I love you all so much and my daughter is now reading your book for her final English assignment- we are fighting over the Nook nightly.
Thanks… oh- and I got chills too.
love this pic… I’m a mom of a one year old and the first time I saw your site was before I had my daughter.. I look at it periodically and emotions change every time. When I checked in the hospital to have my daughter I thought of your family and the excitement and nerves that must have been going on w/ all the craziness surrounding the birth of your daughter and how happy liz must have felt to be getting this pregnancy part over with. The strength of your story is that it could have been any of us. My husband could be with my daughter alone and I cant imagine how he would have done it… he cant even pay a bill on time with out me. LOL.. and the frustration when my daughter throws her food for the 40th time on the floor.. fugettaboutit! But you’re the real deal. Lots of strength because you had to.. amazing. ..Always sending good vibes your way.
Your story breaks my heart. I am very impressed that you were able to pick up the pieces and be the father Maddy needs you to be. Not everybody has the strength and determination. She does very much look like her mama and it’s good to hear that you love her for it, not resent for her it. Your story is motivating. I hope that I never have to face the challanges the you do – and if I do, if I have 1/2 the strenght you do, I’ll make it. Congratulations.