Father’s Day one of many ‘firsts’

RANDOLPH – Calvin Casey has experienced a life-upending amount of “firsts” over the past year.

This weekend he’ll add another – celebrating his first Father’s Day.

While he read the book, “You Will Rock as a Dad,” nothing can quite prepare anyone for the range of emotions felt by first-time parents. Calvin was handed a swaddled bundle of excitement, anxiety, exhaustion and inexplicable love all wrapped in a pretty pink bow on Nov. 17, 2023.

Both Calvin and his wife, Michaela (Strathman), wanted to be surprised by their baby’s gender so it was a special moment when he first laid eyes on his daughter, Taytum Jean.

“It was an amazing moment to hear Calvin say, ‘It’s a girl,’ ” Michaela recalled. “It made the long 31 hours of labor worth it. . . . We were both overwhelmed with happiness to bring a healthy baby girl into the world.”

Through happy tears and sleepless nights, the Caseys have navigated the daily challenges and rewards of parenthood side by side.

Calvin said teamwork is key. “Michaela and I both do our best to take equal care of our daughter. We take turns putting her to bed, feeding her and playing with her,” he said. “If one of us is cooking dinner, the other is spending time with Taytum and the next night it might be the other way around.”

They take turns getting up with Taytum at night when necessary, and both are learning the importance of keeping a schedule.

“It helps to keep her in a similar daily routine so she doesn’t get overly tired or cranky,” Calvin said.

Taytum has kept the parenting duo on their toes as all infants tend to do.

“In caring for a baby, what works one week may not work the next. As she grows and learns new things, we’ve had to learn new ways to care for her,” he said.

There’s something special about dads with their daughters.

Calvin would do just about anything to make his little girl smile, taking her for walks in the stroller or for rides in the golf cart.

“My favorite sound in the world is hearing her little giggle,” he said.

Even though he’s only a few months into fatherhood, it’s changed him in ways he can’t explain and instilled an elevated sense of responsibility for the magnitude of all the role encompasses.

For all its messes, overflowing joy and heartbreaking worry, there’s a firm grasp of unconditional love that takes hold and never lets go.

And in a year of “firsts,” he can’t wait to see what he will experience next and what new things come his way in the years to come.

“Even though parenting might become frustrating or challenging at times, enjoy the small moments because they don’t last forever,” he said.