I had just sat down to put my lenses in this morning when I heard the opening of a door. There are only three closed doors inside our house and one of them is in the Okapis’ room. I turned to see who was coming. It was my little girl.

“You okay?

“Yeah,” she said, but she was still sleepy.

“Why are you awake, Jordyn?”

No answer.

I gave her a hug and she saw my lenses on the keyboard tray, ready to be inserted into my eyes.

“Can I see them?”

“Sure,” and I showed them to her.

“But I can’t see them.”

“Can you see the little blue circles? That’s my lenses.”

“Oh!”

I found her some underpants and she put them on while I put my lenses in.

“Do you want to help me pick out my shirt for work?”

“Sure!”

She picked out a nice orange shirt and when I took out my black jeans, she said, “Yeah, those, Daddy.”

I smiled.

“Want to go downstairs with me?”

“Yeah.” So I held out my hand, my little girl grabbed it, and we walked down the stairs.

“I love Just Daddy Time,” she told me. “Last night I was crying for you because I wanted you to put me to bed.” Last night was Gem’s turn to put them to bed.

My Sweetie Girl.

We sat on the couch and cuddled together before I got my cereal.

“Can I come with you to get your cereal?”

“Of course. Come on.”

We got into the kitchen and I grabbed my bowl and spoon.

“I love Just Daddy Time,” she told me again.

“Well, I get Just Daddy Time every day, but I LOVE Just Jordyn Time,” and she giggled.

We ate my cereal together (Rice Krispies this morning), her having one bite for every five of my own, all while watching SportsCenter. If I am hungry in a hour, we’ll know why.

When I hugged her goodbye, she wouldn’t let go; I had to tickle her to get her hands off of my neck. My little girl needs, wants and misses her Daddy. I need, want and miss her, too. She’s my Sweetie Girl.

But if I have to leave for work everyday, I’d rather have special mornings like this to start my day.