Author: Sanjay Sabarwal

This past weekend, 3 dear couple friends of ours took us to Paso Robles for an impromptu baby moon of sorts. Between the laughter, the wine, the generally shared good time, came a great of feeling of love from those who only wish the best for us. We truly felt the love as we blaze our way to a new end: the birth of our baby boy. Between bouts of anxiety and happiness, I wait expectantly for my life to change in a way I had given up on before.

This weekend became a steady reminder of what was to come, and it made me feel dizzy with excitement and nervousness. An array of possibilities flood the mind along with new worries and scenarios of the coming future. It hit me that crossing off the check mark for father is coming closer and closer, and having my friends share stories about their children equally filled me with dread and happiness. I get the feeling that will be my go to status for a while to come.

It still amazes me that there are so many places I still have not seen in California even after living here for over 30 years. I can finally check off Paso off that list, and one that I would love to visit again. A beautiful little town with so much history I was unaware of, I could see this as a great reason to take my family here for a weekend stay. You don’t have to be a wine drinker to enjoy what the place offers, but it is still great to experience that.

But wait there’s more! No place is better than with dear friends and/or family. Their presence made each moment even more special, and while it can always be a bit of a challenge with large groups, our friends made it super easy for us to just take in the fun and none of the stress. For that, we are both truly grateful (there goes that word again), and I put this weekend to yet another memorable experience!

This past weekend became a tumultuous mix of love, surprise, gratitude, friends and family. From an amazing surprise from Preeti’s cousins from Mississippi to late nights of catching up, learning and just spending connected time together. Then the baby shower itself. My oldest sister showed her the love the best way possible, by pretty much ensuring we had nothing to worry about and just showing up to be showered with love and gratitude for our next steps, and of course my other sister in the background ensuring everything went smoothly.

With Baby boy fast coming along, this weekend turned out to be a perfect reminder of what’s in store for us with the outpouring of love and affection. Of course we remembered Papa and my Baby maasi because they would have been front and center, and so it became another reminder of the missing but remember, and a tinge of sadness suffused the shower but just for a moment, but my sisters mom, cousins, in laws, friends and family all gathered to let us know yet again that we wil never be alone, will always be supported, and for once, my anxiety dimmed.

One of the unique things for our event was the sheer amount of my guy friends who showed up and stayed for the entire thing as if to let me know that they got me. It was amazing to see a dear friend drive down from San Francisco to attend as well as other friends I have known for decades. Also, my crossfit crew, who once were just people I met at the gym have now firmly established themselves as dear friends in both mine and Preeti lives, and I couldn’t be happier.

My cheeks ache from smiling so wide, not from force for the picture taking but the sheer joy for our rapidly approaching new future. I know there are so many behind us to make sure we don’t fail or fall. And I couldn’t be more excited.

Happy Monday!

This past weekend, I got the chance to celebrate my nephew’s first birthday, and the sheer amount of kids that attended got me thinking that soon there will be a new addition to these events. My son. Its strange to say those words. I never imagined in a million years that would be a possibility. i think due to that I put so much energy in other children, from my numerous nephews and nieces to the kids of my children. I am blessed to be the Godfather to several of them, and I willingly accepted that role. And now I get to pick someone. For my son. The words boggle the soul.

And then the celebration for Ezra, a cute boy who never stops smiling, and I can’t wait for our son to meet him because I know they will be close. I also hope my son learns a lot of his behaviors from him. Ezra’s parents provided my wife and I generous access to their children, going above and beyond to ensure my wife has a beautiful relationship with her niece, and now her nephew. It has a joy to see my wife smile when she sees their faces, and the reciprocity from the kids.

Which brings me to the gentle sadness knowing my father will never experience his grandson, and my son will never get to know Papa the way he should. It hurts to remember that yet another year has passed since he has been gone,. and I still feel the same as the day he left when I let myself. The mornings are the best and worst because in the dawn’s quiet are when I let myself feel everything. It is the early darkness that my heart unclenches, and for those brief hours I feel it all. From joy, worry to sadness to getting ready for the day.

More and more, I get quiet, but I also know that silence does not have always serve me so I seek safe spaces to express myself. It is a journey I am still on, but maybe, some day I can speak out loud: I miss you, Papa. I am sorry,Papa. I wish you could meet your grandson. And then the sun rises, and I begin my day.

Having just come back from a whirlwind trip, I looked forward to a quiet weekend with plans of not doing anything. Of course, word came down that one of my dear friends was having get together for his birthday on Friday, and I HAD to go since I’d missed so many other events, and so began an epic night that will live on in memories for a long time to come. Not much happened except for a lot of shit talking, drinking and then driving to another bar to do it all over again.

Nothing like going out with a former fire marshal and two police officers to make you realize professions don’t matter when you truly enjoy each others company. It reinforced me for yet again that Crossfit is more than just a place to get fit or do hard workouts, but I found myself a community of friends that will be in my life for a long time to come.

I assumed Friday would be the extent of the weekend until my wife reminded me we had a 40th birthday event to attend, unique because of a party, it was a 4 hour cruise at Marina Del Rey, and yet again, I was transported to a new place with old friends who have been in our lives for years. Not only was the boat an amazing experience, but spending time with friends we had not seen in a while made the day even more special.

As Baby Boy gets closer, I know these times will become precious and there will be celebrations but different kinds, however I know all these people will remain in my life, and at the end of the day, that’s all that matters.

Happy Monday!

As I get closer to the day baby boy is born, excitement and anxiousness have become my close friends. There are days where I feel completely lost, and then other days where I feel that just like all other challenges, this too can be handled, except they involve another human. No more hypotheticals on what kind of father I will be or need to be. I have to now consider all my choices and opinions a lot more carefully.

It is a constant fact that I will be an older father, which means more experience, but also means I get to step up my stamina, parenthood will be be the ULTIMATE crossfit workout. Even based on that lazy metaphor, I know I have some time to warm up (not much), and to get my head ready, but the best part is that it will be partner workout. I know we will support each other, and it will take lots of communication.

Better yet, its a team sport as both of our families will also be there are guides, coaches, and the occasional break givers. Not to mention our friends who are already jostling for time with baby boy, and all of it comforts me, lets me know that even when I fall (and I will fall), there will be others to pick me up, to show me the way, to soothe the hurt feelings, to let know that all of this is a continual learning process, that there are more than one way to do things, and there is no one ultimate right way as long the child grows in love.

The lull before the storm is MY time to get ready as best as I can, to ensure I truly partner with my wife so she knows she is not in this alone, that she can count on me, that I will not let my fears or worries be the reason for inaction. I get to MOVE, to LEARN, to ADAPT, and so this week becomes the beginning of a another leg of the journey, and I CANNOT wait.

Happy Monday!

Jetlag my new best friend, but the heart is still full of recent memories. Ten days that included two countries, half a dozen occasions, far too much food and drink but even more memories and lessons for the future. The wife and I went to Madrid at the last minute, and now I know that a little bit of planning, of asking questions, of setting expectations go a long way in having a great trip. A beautiful country where I learned the meaning of partnership, and the ability to say the words I don’t know and seek support. To apologize when I had unsaid expectations or just wanted something different. She stood by me even at my lowest, and brought me up with understanding and explaining what needed to happen. Great training for our coming parenthood where we share roles and duties and not just one person has to do it all or do one specific things.

And then we stepped into 7 magical days of sheer family time with dozens of family members (more than a hundred actually), and I remembered the value of why we try so hard to attend far away weddings. From hanging with cousins and relative I hadn’t seen in years to getting to know new relations. This was a celebration that set the standard. Every single thing was thought of, not just the events, but the in between time for the next event. The only cost was our flights as my cousin and his family ensured we had nothing else to worry about. That kind of love only comes unconditionally.

The sheer magnitude of their efforts and my sister just blew me away, and then barely landing and we hit another milestone with my wife turning 40 and still not looking a day over 21, and the sheer amount of gratitude for my life takes my breath away (just like she does).

And so I still here, still reliving all the memories, and I look forward to the future!