Life of Harlow

Dating Scene

Liam

Tonight I'm going on another date with McKenzie. Since our Halloween Date we will grab lunch a few times a week and have been going out pretty much every weekend. We are taking things extremely slow, but I genuinely like her and enjoy her company.

In addition to dates, we text and call each other daily. It feels refreshing to have a woman in my life again on a romantic level. Not sure where this is headed, but it feels nice.

Harlow turned 15 last week as we had a family dinner and she insisted we invite McKenzie and Trevor. I was bummed that we couldn't go on the trip I had planned for her birthday due to me coaching, but she said she was alright with it. I did get a few pieces from my jewelry collection duplicated so she could stop taking mine and the gift that Dana had left within a list.

When Dana's cancer returned, she made a birthday card and personalized note for each of Harlow's birthday's leading up to her being 21. For milestone birthdays she often attached gifts of things that were hers that she wanted Harlow to have. For other birthdays, she left a suggestion of what I should buy her. Knowing Dana, it wasn't a suggestion, it was to make it happen. That's what she always told me. I was Liam Law and if anyone could do it, I could. That's what I loved most about her. Her belief in me, in herself, in us; it's what made our dynamic so unique.

Harlow has gotten accustomed to these gifts and I always leave a note when it's specifically from Dana. It's not just for her birthday, Dana included Christmas as well. She left me a detailed letter and I followed her request to a tee. Harlow never knew what to expect and I know she looked forward to it. The fact that Dana was so prepared in this way is just who she was. She was always thinking ahead, long-term; the bigger picture. I thank God everyday that she chose me and I chose her and we were able to produce life, together.

While I've told everyone about the notes, cards, and gifts Dana left for Harlow, I didn't tell them about the one she left me. There was an envelope sitting in the box with Dana's handwriting -

To my husband, the love of my life, Liam -

Happy 40th Birthday.

I love you,

Dana

P.S. Promise me you won't open until 40. I mean it!

I've been anxious to read it. It was the one and only birthday card that she left specifically for me. I was more focused on Harlow having memories. She and I had so many. I know for Harlow's 16th birthday, Dana recorded a video and another for when she turned 18 and graduated from high school. Hearing her voice, seeing her face... It's tough. Still, Harlow deserves to have every bit of her mother's memory.

For her birthday this year, she also got to go out on her date with Russ. I told her he needed to come and talk to me first. That wasn't negotiable. One Saturday evening after the game, she told me she had invited him to dinner.

|Flashback|

I had just put dinner in the oven when I heard hurried footsteps coming my way. It was Harlow. I noticed she was wearing something different from the last time she came in here to see what I was doing. She had changed her outfit about 3 times at this point.

"Dad..."

"Yes, Harlow."

"Russ is almost here. Is dinner ready?"

"It'll be ready within the next 45 minutes. I just put it in the oven. It'll give me time to talk to him before we eat. You know, get it out of the way."

She huffed.

"Dad, just please make sure you're nice, okay?"

You would think I was a monster to her friends with the way she's acting. I know this is different. She really likes this kid. I can empathize with that.