Home Chef's Just Desserts

Reflecting on the visit with Baby Sister, Home Chef and Youngest Nephew, Husband and I were amazed at how natural Home Chef was with his son. We all expected Baby Sister to be good – she's had lots of baby practice with her own nieces and nephews. But there was Home Chef, Mr. Calm with this youngest of humans, like he's been around babies his whole life.

What makes it remarkable, Husband and I mused, is that here's a guy who had very, VERY limited exposure to children, save for his friend's son. Sure, the dude really made huge efforts to win over the nieces and nephews, making sushi out of candy or bearing giant bags from Sugar Mountain for example. More than that, Home Chef was present and attentive which may seem so, well, pedantic, but know that kids can see through shams. They can spot a phony from here to Disneyland. My kids took to Home Chef very quickly.

What makes it remarkable is that he's someone who didn't even consider having children or settling down in any real way. He had his job. He had his toys. He had his bar. And then he met my sister who, early on, told him that if he was dead set against fatherhood, maybe she wouldn't stick around long. Ballsy move on her part. Ballsy move on his for facing the uncertain all for the love of Baby Sister.

And what a reward.

Of course, he'll make mistakes that he'll probably look back upon and laugh at. Don't we all? Husband himself used to change Daughter's diapers every time she made a sound in her sleep. Actually, he laughs and cries over that because now, when the kids need parental assistance at night for a nosebleed or extra blankets or whatever, they call Dad.

Live and learn, Home Chef. Bonne chance!