Dad

Happy Father’s Day

Starring

Daniel T. Bloch

Melissa B. Bloch

Anirudha Dasgupta

and introducing Kismet D. Bloch

Chapter One

The thesis defense

Some moments only feel real once you’re standing next to me. This was one of them.

Chapter Two

Master’s graduation

The degree had my name on it, but the look on your face said it was yours too. I’ve seen you proud plenty of times — I’m glad I caught this one.

Chapter Three

Walking down the aisle

Walking down the aisle on your arm toward Ani, I could feel all of it in you at once — the pride, the joy, the hope you’ve always held for me, and that quiet catch of letting go, of not being my only one anymore. But you have never once stopped being my anchor, Dad. Everything I understand about love, I learned from watching you — and every bit of it walked down that aisle with me.

Chapter Four

The father–daughter dance

We danced to “I Loved Her First” — because before Ani, before anyone, there was you. Hand in hand, both of us laughing, it was the closest I could come to saying thank you for all of it.

Chapter Five

First Christmas, two families

Our first Christmas, both families together. Sharing a good meal is the one thing I know we’ll always do, every time I visit.

Chapter Six

Kismet’s annaprashan

Kismet’s first taste of solid food, and you were the one holding the spoon — leaning right into a Bengali tradition because she was at the center of it.

Chapter Seven

Kismet’s first birthday

Watching you with Kismet on her first birthday, I see exactly how you were with me: patient, all-in, completely hers. She’s lucky in the same way I’ve always been.

Chapter Eight

Kismet’s first circus

You’ve always loved the circus, so taking Kismet to her first one felt like handing something down from you to her. Three generations under the big-top red, and you were the happiest one there.

Happy Father’s Day, Dad

From my thesis defense to Kismet’s first circus, you’ve been the constant in every frame. Thank you for showing up — every single time.

I love you.— Your daughter