Before I get carried away and start in on how wonderful it is to be a dad, I need to give you a little perspective. I didn’t always think it would be wonderful to be a dad. 

I’m a white boy, mid-forties, born into a poor-as-dirt family in Woodland, California. Favorite color: green, food: pizza, drink: coffee, sport: baseball, movie: Braveheart, music: Reggae. I’m a Libra, which – if you believe in that kind of thing – means I’m diplomatic, romantic, charming, easy-going, sociable, idealistic and peaceable. And, indecisive and easily-influenced, as well as flirtatious, self-indulgent and often good-lucking (hey, I’m quoting right out of the Libra for Dummies book). We have elegance, charm and good taste; are naturally kind, and lovers of beauty and harmony. Look at that, I’m not all bad. I have a few good qualities: elegance, charm, good looks.

Simply put, I am just one of the roughly 3,135,529,331 men roaming this earth.

I don’t have the physical mastery of any particular sport, or the extreme intelligences to explain the universe, or the proper genes to be president (although, with any luck, I will be an old white guy some day, which makes me semi-qualified). I grew up knowing right from wrong. I went to school and did my homework. I played sports, ate my vegetables and made my bed. I worked two jobs to put myself through college. I’ve even helped a few old ladies across the street in my day. I have great friends, a strong handshake and an honest attitude. But I just wasn’t happy. 

Oh, I had a smile on my face. All that charm and flirtatious attitude was still there, but deep down inside something was missing.

What was wrong with me? Why did I feel so empty inside? Was this truly all there was to life: every day kind of like the next? There had to be more.

But, I went on about my life and never gave it too much thought. I was too busy, too social, too happening.

I never thought much about fatherhood and when I did I certainly didn’t like the idea either. Actually, if I’m being honest, I didn’t think I was capable of being a very good father. It just wasn’t in my DNA; I was selfish and had zero patience for people, especially kids – they get in the way of all that fun and enjoying of beauty. I was your average guy.

So, after years, when my wife wanted to start a family, I was against the idea. In fact, I remember actually saying, “No way!” 

But, I was wrong.

I had spent forty years searching for that elusive happiness, for something to fill that giant void inside and make the days seem like they had some bigger point. And within seconds I finally found it on accident: being a dad was what was missing.

Now, there is nothing on this earth (besides fantasy football) that I love more than my family. Being a dad to Mina, 4, and Coda, 3, is without a doubt the best thing that has ever happened to me. This, along with my wonderful wife, Kira, has let me finally find a true sense of purpose in this crazy world.

And, all those years I thought I was living it up, living crazy, I was wrong. Now, the real life adventures begin. You’ll see – real confessions of a San Anselmo dad.

This is not a picture of David.