• Happy birthday, Avalon and Amelia.

One year ago today, on December 5, 2010, at about 9:30 PM, two tiny girls were born with personalities so huge I’m surprised the Earth’s rotation was not affected. Actually, maybe it was, I was just too nervous and excited and overwhelmed to notice.

Amelia was born first, Avalon five minutes behind, both early, early enough so that Catherine and I were worried about a few things, especially their lungs, but piercing screams from both girls were a sound of pure happiness to everyone in the O.R.

The seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months and now year have all passed with speed that would make Einstein think twice about a few of his theories. Avalon, once so tiny we marveled that she could smile so huge. And Amelia’s cheeks, could they be any more... more? As of today, Avalon is bigger than Amelia, but Amelia’s cheeks are not in any danger of being surpassed.

I have read and heard so much about the love a parent feels. I did not believe it. I still don’t understand it. But it’s true. It even makes the U.S. debt look small.

Avalon and Amelia, I love you with all my heart and the two of you along with your mom -- the best you could ever hope for, by the way -- have become the family I never knew I wanted and now can’t imagine being without.