My Good Luck Charms...

What makes a good luck charm…well…good luck? How can you determine when it officially becomes a good luck charm? There are many things in life I won't be able to tell you and this is sadly one of them.

What I can tell you are about my three most favorite ones I've ever had. The first is in the video above you and his name was Mr. Joe Ades (aka "The greatest salesman in NYC history"). I came about getting to know Mr. Ades the time I found my last job I had in NYC. I was fresh out of a relationship as well as fresh off of losing my prior job of which I deeply loved (the job more than the girl). I was in a new part of town, and I couldn't have felt more out of place. The first day I planned out which subway to take and gave myself an extra 20 minutes in case I got lost (as you know your father isn't the best with directions). I got there in PLENTY of time so I thought I'd walk around the local market of Union Square. It was there, on the corner of 15th and Broadway, I saw Mr. Joe Ades doing his magic. As you can see in the video, he was quite great! I sat back and watch him engage the crowd and, at the finish, get a huge applause. Suddenly, I wasn't scared to go into work for the first time but was actually energized!

That’s how it was for me over the next two years. I got over the girl quickly and actually fell in love with the people and job. Every weekend, without fail, I'd see Mr. Joe do his work and realized I was about to have a good day. He became my first good luck charm of NYC.

After 2 years of the same routine, I started to notice I couldn't find Mr. Joe anywhere when I came to work. I would come early just to see if he was in a different booth but I could never find him. As soon as I found out my good luck charm had passed away was as soon as that job went sour. I quickly transferred away from Union Square and, once again, was without hope and a lucky charm to boot.

Then I met her. I was in a different bar in a different area of town and was back to trying to find my place in life. She came in one night and never left. I was smitten. The next couple of years were bliss. Your mother became more than a good luck charm, she became my heart. The ring on my finger that she gave me on November 10, 2012 became the greatest good luck charm I could ever ask for.

Finally, my last favorite good luck charm came a little over 3 months ago and has completely changed my life -- you! No matter how many times you wake us up crying, your countless number of times you seem to be hungry or when you just want to yell for yelling sake...you are our lucky charm. Little do you know but I've recently started to dress you in Mets gear before every game, and we haven't lost since!

So you may be wondering -- what's the point? I never knew Mr. Joe because I never spoke to him. I have long since told about my first lucky charm of NYC to various friends and family but only in my memories could I find him. That is until one Saturday afternoon when a miscellaneous link referenced him along with a video of him selling his famous peelers. There I was, holding you, lying beside your mother and hearing his voice through an old video.

As I heard his familiar voice once again, I teared up a little. The dreams I could only hope for all those years ago in that little part of NYC came true. The fact of the matter is I don't have to go to any random street fairs to find my lucky charm anymore -- I just have to go home, and for that I truly am the luckiest husband/dad in the whole world.

p.s. being your dad is awesome!

Bennetch Family Traditions

How do you define a family tradition? Is there a minimum required for it to count? Well, you have only been in our lives for a little over 2 months and already we’ve started having our own family traditions! For example, I am a firm believer that you ONLY like to spit up while I am holding you. This is quite a task to the point you once even managed to spit up in my mouth. Another family tradition, for now, you and your mother are best of friends. I am very much a distant second! You smile, laugh, and are captivated by her! It warms my heart to see how deeply in love both of you are already (because, of course, by now I’ve become your favorite).

Another family tradition was started by your Papa Charlie. At the time, I am not sure he knew that one day it would be a tradition but, alas, here we are. When I was born, your Papa went out and bought my first stuffed animal, Woofer (I later found out to be named after a speaker). Shortly after leaving the hospital, your Papa put him in the shirt they gave me after I was born and laid him beside me. For years, Woofer was the very best friend I had. I took him EVERYWHERE and, if he wasn’t around, I couldn’t sleep. Woofer was so beloved that his head managed to fall off several times but, as luck would have it, your Diva was a nurse and could magically sow him all better. Woofer at night, along with your Papa, read me stories, assured me that the bullies in school wouldn’t be as mean tomorrow, and taught me how to pray. I would be lying to you, even as I grew up, if I said Woofer didn’t still play a role in my life. When I was scared, heart broken, or lost he managed to find a way from the closet to my arms. Until I met your mother, he was my most prized possession.

So, with Woofer in mind, I wanted to be the one that was a part of giving you your very first best friend. You are only two months old but already you’ve showed us you’re too cool for a teddy bear, too cool for a princess doll, so what could I possibly give you? It’s with that thought I found the perfect present – Cecilia the Sloth!

 

Cecilia is silly and speaks with a lisp. She loves to swing on cradles, sing silly songs, and give special kisses. She can’t wait for bed time stories to be read to you both by your dad, laughing with you at your favorite cartoons, and singing her favorite song, “Cecilia” by Simon and Garfunkel (especially since you WILL grow up to love Classic Rock!).  She’ll be with you to protect you from monsters under the bed and MANY, MANY, MANY years from now will keep your best kept secrets about what boy you adore.

Above all, she can’t wait to grow up to be your best friend just like my Woofer was for me.

No matter the days you manage to spit up on me or not, just know that every day with you is pure joy and that I, your mom, and even your stuffed animal Cecelia love you more with every new day! You already are one of our best friends and we promise not to tell who you will always love the most (ahem…me)!

p.s. being your dad is awesome!