Our Grandson Is Here

Niko,

Wow, when your mom and dad told us you were coming, we cried.

Your dad’s birth changed my life, and now here you go, doing it again.

I know you don’t know me yet, but I’m your “Pops.”

Your dad and his brother used to call me that when they were being funny.

So, I’d really like it if you would call me Pops.

Niko, you will probably never know what you mean to us.

But when I look at your face, I see all of my relatives who meant something to me, your history, all bundled up in a 7.5-pound package.

I see Oma’s family (she’s your grandmother, my wife, and really cool).

Note of interest: Don’t call her grandma, she wants to be your Oma. It’s German for Grandma.

But I also see your mom’s family.

You’re lineage goes back so far and all over the world.

We're all part of you.

I know, it’s really weird and a bit heady for a kid who arrived.

But you don’t have to think about that, it’s just how it is.

But it is important.

You bring your mom’s family and ours to a connection that can’t be broken.

And all you had to do was be you.

We’ll meet you in person for a few weeks.

But we’ll have plenty of time to get to know each other.

This is your mom and dad’s first time being parents, so please take it easy on them.

They chose to have you, and you mean more to them than anything.

They’ve studied, read, and googled how to raise a kid, so just listen to them even when you don’t want to, okay?

One thing you will learn is that mistakes are part of life.

You have parents who love you, an extended family who will be there for you, and a God who created you.

He has a plan for your life, and only you can figure it out, but you will need His help.

People will mold you and guide you, and that’s all good.

But Niko, never forget who you are, ever.

Your name means “Victory To The People.” I can’t wait to see what that looks like.

In Japanese, it means “Gentle” and “Smiley”, I hope both for you.

As your “Pops,” I take my responsibility for you seriously.

But I also plan to let you get away with a lot, don’t tell your parents.

Be good to your mom and dad; they’ve never done this before.

You’re going to really love them.

We do.

I hope you like good food.

Your parents are what we all “Foodies”.

It doesn’t make sense now, but you are going to eat some amazing and sometimes scary food.

You’ll get used to it.

Okay, I’ll stay in touch.

Oma and Pops will be there in a few weeks to spoil you, I mean, help your parents.

I hope you like beer.

In a few years, I can see us on a porch somewhere, drinking a beer, talking about……you.

You’ll love Montana.

Lots of things to explore.

Love yah

We’ll talk soon.

Pops.