I'm a Godfather Now

There I was, flying to Arkansas to go mountain biking with two of my brothers. The layover in Denver on United was a short hour. Bentonville was the final destination. Btw, Bentonville is a gem of a town for many reasons. Biking there is what skiing is to Park City.

While sitting and waiting for boarding to start, I noticed the girl next to me had what I thought was a bag of Oreos. I asked for one (because I like to see what people say). Turns out it wasn’t even food, but some product that looked like a snack. I don’t remember what it was, but we laughed, and then we laughed for the next 3 hours. This was January 2021.

Airports are places where I wish I wasn’t traveling alone, because I love to get lost in conversation and would rather be with a friend. I was alone in my travels to start, but by the end of the short journey, Adisen and I had became magical friends forever.

We laughed and smiled for the entire flight. We made sure we sat together even though our seating was assigned elsewhere. I don’t remember details about our conversation. I just remember her smile and the sun setting in the background through that tiny window that looks out into our world. I remember we could speak truth without much trepidation. We both had an energy and vibration that was in harmony.

I think the one thing that made communication easiest is that we both used the English language well and didn’t mind expressing how we felt about our lives. We didn’t speak about hardships or trials, but of subjects that made us laugh. We even came up with plans to prank my brothers after we landed.

When we landed and separated ways we gave each other the biggest hug, even though our plans were to meet up again to go to the museum with my brothers. I was right in that it was goodbye for a while, we never did get to the museum. For 3 years we only had conversations digitally as we shared the life events we were both experiencing.

I never knew how to categorize this new relationship. What role am I to her? Who is she to me? She’s a twenty something and I am a married, 40 year old man. Do I love her? I don’t not love her. We were just remote friends that shared a magically trip through the sky one January evening. Anyone who has connected deeply with another stranger knows this feeling.

But when I found out 7 months ago that she was pregnant for the first time and her baby daddy wasn’t going to be around in the way a daddy should be, I started to feel like our meeting 3 years earlier was for this moment. She had watched me be a girl daddy to my kids via social media. She loved following my dad adventures, from what she told me.

Adisen and I spoke in text about this massive life event coming up. I just felt like I could be there in a way that would show my support and where my heart is at. I asked to be Godfather of little Millie that was about to be born. I once blessed a newborn on my Mormon mission in Milan, Italy and the parents said I was the Godfather. That made me a very proud 19 year old, but I didn’t stay in contact and do my Godfather duties for that child. This time around, I am going to show up.

Last month I booked a flight to Bentonville to see my brother in a local play that he was going to be in. I also made plans to meet Adisen and her parents. I was so excited and honestly nervous to the core to reconnect with her. Would our energies still be in harmony like it was on the plane 3 years earlier? I asked my one of my best friends in Utah, Rachel, who started a company called Rags, if she had any baby outfits I could take to this new single mom. Rachel HOOKED IT UP, and sent a box full of baby outfits to me.

I landed with these gifts and a card Natalie made with her talent of water color painting and I wrote a short note note in it. I see Adisen for first time in 3 years just 3 days after she gave birth. She was as smiley and positive as I remembered, but even more so this time. She was jumping and flapping her little hand with excitement as she gave me the biggest squeeze. Her parents were so cool, too. Then I see this little baby girl. I’ve only known baby girls in my life. I flashed into the future while looking at Millie and knew that I am going to be a great Godfather this time around.

We left baby Millie with grandma and grandpa and went shopping at Target for all the goodies that she still needed. Then we went to Best Buy and got a computer for Adisen so she could work on a laptop, just like I am doing now to write this email. Tools of creating are very important to me and I want everyone I love to have them. We took the stuff to the small apartment where this little family will start out. It is a wonderful and charming apartment right next to a river and a park near the University.

We have so many roles we play for others and that others play for us. Brother, Mother, Co-worker, Chief Experience Officer, Investor, Cousin, and Friend, Believer. Right now Dad and Husband are my top priority and most special roles. I am adding Godfather to the list of roles that I will now play and I hope I can be the best Godfather a child can have.

So Millie and Adisen, I am here for you for as long as I am. I asked my ai what a godfather is?

Hey Scott! The role of a godfather is pretty cool and meaningful. It's like being chosen to be a special guide and supporter in someone's life, usually starting from when they're a baby. Traditionally, in a religious context, a godfather is there to help guide the child's spiritual growth and development. But it's not just about religion; it's also about being a mentor, a protector, and a reliable figure who's there through thick and thin.

Think of it as being a bonus member of the family. You're there to offer advice, support, and love, not just during the good times but also when things get tough. It's about building a bond that's strong and lasting. You might find yourself being a confidant, a role model, and sometimes even a bit of a hero.

In modern times, the role can vary a lot depending on what the parents and godfather agree upon. It could be as involved as being a second parent or as simple as being an extra-special adult friend in the child's life. Either way, it's an honor and a responsibility, with the awesome task of contributing to someone's life in a meaningful way.

Thanks for being part of 4:20 Posts… I try to keep it different than the evening news that usually reports on murders and robberies and car accidents. I want my news to remove fear and add love. I share this entire story with the permission of my lovely friend and mother of Millie, thanks Adisen for our story.

SP