It started whenever our son would wander into the garage, usually following his dad to work in the garage with tools or on cars or maybe in the garden fixing this and that. We needed a word or phrase so that when the kids went somewhere they usually didn’t go, they knew how to be safe. Thus the phrase, “Daddy, can you see me,” was born.
Flash forward to two years later, as my husband is grilling out on the back patio…I look directly at our kids as our son belts out, “Daddy, can you see me?” and immediately my eyes get hot because this phrase became bigger than I thought it’d ever be.
They don’t know it yet but when they’re older, they’ll remember this phrase and I hope and pray to God that they always know and remember that we see them. 
I promise to see you when school gets hard and you fail. Because you will. We all fail sometimes.
I promise to see you when your heart gets broken into a million tiny pieces.
I promise to see you when you experience the nasty in the world and our bubble we built to protect you pops. Piece by piece, we will help you find faith and rebuild.
I promise to see you when you want to dye your hair or pierce something or get a tattoo. Because you are not me and I am not you.
I promise to see you when you think I don’t. Because no matter what, child, I am always here for you. That’s big love.
I promise to see you when you think the sky is falling, because to you it will probably feel that way. (Years later you’ll realize it wasn’t.)
I promise to see you when no one else does and remind you that you’re beautiful and perfect and uniquely you.
I promise to see you and notice when you need to be held. With arms wide open, no matter your age, I vowed to be that person for you way back in 2014. Because my darlings, my mom (and dad) were that person for me and we all need someone no matter our age, no matter our decisions, no matter what.
When will you promise to see your child, middle schooler, high schooler, adult child? Please share with us!
