It's only my second Father's Day and I still don't think I have fully comprehended it.
For 33 years of my life, Father's Day was reserved for my dad. I always looked forward to the barbecues or the trips to the Flea Market (dad's favorite place).
Everything changed when Aria Grace Lupher was born in August of 2017. I became a proud first-time dad. Now, I have to juggle honoring my dad and being celebrated myself. This year, I've chosen to go to the BBQ fest at Mile High Stadium. We'll finish things off with a BBQ at dad's house where I grew up, in Aurora. I'm fully expecting to gain a couple of pounds this Father's Day.
I am so blessed to be a part of the dad club and I now realize why us dads deserve to be celebrated.
WATCH: Forever Dad: A Denver7 Digital Short for Father's Day
The second after Aria was born, my world revolved around her. The late-night movie outings with my brother to catch the opening of a new summer movie ended — I needed to be home to rock Aria to sleep. No more weekend golf — mom works on my weekends, so I pull daddy duty. No more freedom on the couch and the TV — my new daily dose of television is 'Sesame Street' or 'Jungle Book.' Forget dinner at my favorite restaurant — my Friday nights consist of McDonald's now.
I'm not complaining. I love it all. It's different and it's exhausting, but I cherish every moment.
Oh...and my gag reflex has also improved after all the diapers I have had to change over the past 22 months.
Everything I have done as a dad doesn't even compare to what mom has put up with. The moms of the world are superheroes, if you ask me. But hey, dads deserve a little piece of the pie too.
By the way, baby Lupher #2 is due in December. I guess Friday nights at McDonald's will be my life for a little while longer!
Happy Father's Day to all my fellow dads out there.