To Louis

My Assistant Paul and his wife Jamie recently welcomed a baby girl into their family. Paul told me he wrote a letter to his daughter while he was in the hospital. That of course reminded me of these Leech Letters.

I’ve talked in the past about how I partly write these for my son. As a way to share my inner thoughts and for him to read some day and connect with me. The same way reading my old man’s journals and notes connects me to him.

But these started months after Leon was born. The fire had been burning for a while. This one a get to write right here in the moment.

Louis, this letter is for you. The bar raiser.

The first child is about seeing if you’re ready for fatherhood. The second is about how high can you raise the standard. Can you still provide an amazing life for the entire family? Can you still be present as a Husband as well as a Dad for both boys?

You’re coming into a house full of love and I’m beyond excited to see who you become. You’ve got an amazing Mother, and a Brother who I know will fight to the death to protect you.

I love ya you 10lb 2oz meatball Leech boy!

Keep the Fire Burning,

Dad