Two weeks ago, my wife gave birth to my first biological child.
Although I’ve been a step dad for over 7 years now, I’ve never gone through this kind of experience before.
I’ve never had to go to an OBGYN, participate in an ultra sound, or choose a baby’s name.
This was all new to me and no book that I read or person that I talked to could even come close to preparing me for the moment when my baby was born.
The day that he was born was the most exhilarating and amazing experience of my life.
No words could even come close to describing how I felt or even what occurred when I first laid eyes on him.
Although we were both preparing for months, it wasn’t until I was finally holding him that it all made sense.
Even though he’s been here for only 14 days, he’s already given me one of the most valuable gifts that I’ve ever received – the gift of perspective.
For many new fathers, we’re taught to believe that all of our attention and focus should be centered on the newborn baby.
We’re taught that everything else is secondary and that all that matters is taking care of your precious little baby.
And while this is indeed true, what I’ve come to learn is that my number one priority right now is and has to be my wife.
Everything that I’m doing right now is in the service of making sure that she feels completely comfortable and taken care of.
And this new way of thinking goes against everything that I’ve ever learned before.
Throughout my life, I’ve been so driven to accomplish my goals that I’ve always done first and explained later.
When I got married, I carried this same attitude with me and would often make decisions without taking my wife or daughter into consideration.
I was so laser focused on my own career that I often forgot that my life now consisted of more than just me.
And that false way of thinking came crashing down the moment that we brought our little one home with us.
During these past two weeks, I’ve learned that what’s most convenient for me isn’t necessarily what’s best for us.
And I’ve learned the true meaning of selflessness and that it takes daily, consistent work to be the best husband and father that I could possibly be.
So I’ve readjusted my life around and taken on more responsibilities than ever before.
I’ve become more present and more aware of the needs of my family and accepted the fact that my life’s exponentially greater when I’m able to share life’s most treasured moments with my wife and family.
So as I stare in wonder at my and new baby boy, all I could do is kiss him and thank him for reminding me that life may be good when I’m on my own, but that it’s so much better when I’m able to share it with those that I love.
Mike de la Rocha is an LA-based musician, writer and entrepreneur. To find out more about
Mike visit mikedelarocha.com and follow him on Twitter @mrmikedelarocha.
