THE DAY is quickly approaching when I’ll start my new gig. This new job had a specific set of qualifications, and I meet or exceed them all. It’s got a list of recommended skills, and I have all those too. I was vetted, interviewed and offered the position with all the confidence that I’ll be able to meet or exceed the standards for success set for the position. I’ll start very soon, and I know I can handle myself.
I’m not worried a bit … about that job.
But there’s another job I’m about to start, and it didn’t come with a predefined list of qualifications and skills. It didn’t come with anyone to interview me and make sure I was up to the task. Nope, some time in early July, I’ll be handed my new title and given my raw materials and told to get to it.
That first job, well, like I said, I’m plenty qualified. That second job, here’s hoping. And it’s the more important one, too. For that second job comes with the title of “Dad.”
My wife and I were married in October of 2009, and we honeymooned in New Orleans — a city we both love a great deal. Well, we came back from that honeymoon with a few T-shirts, a necklace for my wife, a bunch of memories and a baby in my wife’s belly.
Yeah, on the honeymoon. So that transition from newlyweds to parents-to-be was indeed a quick one. We had planned all along to start right away, but we had no idea it would “take” on the very first try!
That “other” new job is legit, too. It’s my first management position, and from where we’ll live it’ll be about a 50-minute commute. But here’s the big thing … it’s 3,000 miles from where we live now.
A little more history: My wife’s a West Coaster and I’m an East Coaster … from the South. Until now, we’ve lived on the West Coast — just north of San Francisco. We’re both writers for the same newspaper, but I’ve just accepted a new job eastside. My new employers knew from Day 1 about my family situation, which has been a big help in making the decision to go ahead and accept. Accept, that is, the challenge of moving my family (newborn baby in tow) across the country and starting a new job all at the same time.
What really made the icing sweeter on the cake was the fact that the new job was right back in an area that I am very familiar with both professionally and personally.
So, here’s the intro to the Fatherhood Blog portion of The Man F.A.Q., but the real action will begin in early July (due date is July 4). Until then, I’ll mostly be writing about our preparations to be new parents and to move across the country.
You’ll be seeing our life through my eyes — a work-in-an-office dad who’s got an hour’s commute to work each day. Hopefully you’ll be able to learn from (or at least be able to chuckle at) my mistakes or even any triumphs that I may stumble into along the way.
