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Dear Son, Naming Rights


--24 Weeks Old (Before Birth)--

Dear Son, 

The thought of you is beginning to feel a bit more real. As noted in my last letter you, it's very difficult to feel the way your mother does about you right now. After all, she's feeling flutters and movement from you now, and I'm just left trying (and dying...really, stretching) to be a part of that experience. I can't wait for you to start making movements in which I can lay my hand on your mother's belly and truly feel that interaction. 

For now, I'll wait...

Though, we both noticed this weekend that you might enjoy the sounds of the Notorious B.I.G. For me, that's exciting. While bumping some tunes in the car yesterday, your mom noticed those significant flutters whenever his songs came on. After all, you will be a Brooklyn baby/kid, and I'm excited about that. That's a pretty exclusive club that many may not understand.

And truth be told, I can't wait to share those moments of talking music, sharing history, and of course, listening to tunes with you. Of course, Biggie Smalls will be on that list, to which you already apparently like.
Spread love it's the Brooklyn way!! 

Regardless, while I wait for more of those moments, your mother and I have gotten serious about deciding just what the heck to call you. After all, we've noticed that everyone - mostly your relatives on your mother's side of the family - all have opinions and excessive input on names. While we know they've been joking, we're both tired of the considerations and guesses. And quite honestly, the joke is pretty played out. Except for your eventual grandfather, who has a way of making it fun. 

Everyone is excited about you, but as you'll soon learn about your mother and I, we try to keep everyone out until we can get a handle on the moment. Something we also hope to pass on to you. It's essential to life. And as you'll learn, one of my favorite scriptures - Romans 12:2. 

Nonetheless, we wanted to begin the process on what your identity will be. As we both are slowly falling in love with you and all that you are, calling you "it" no longer feels right. And "Baby Robo" just feels like the type of generic-ness that we both have avoided, and continue to avoid, in our lives. 

At 24 weeks, we seem to have a few names pinpointed for you and that also is super exciting. They're pretty dope names. And by the time you are reading this, you will know exactly what the decision is (obviously). 

But rest assure, as you read this, there is and was significant thought and weeks of process that went into what we wanted your identity to be. I'll share with you a list:

1. Un-Generic - Nothing against standard names, but once again, your mother and I aren't fans of those names. We are both very creative people and we want that same uniqueness for you as well. 

2. Culture - As a bi-racial individual, we already know some of the battles, the privileges, the mis-understandings, and the overwhelming joy that will come with it. You'll realize my passion for social justice one day, but I'm telling you now, your mother was adamant about making sure you do not have a homogenous understanding of the world, and that your name reflects that as well. While my story on social justice is unique, you'll come around to loving your mom's as well. I thought her passion for exposing you to everything was cool, something she admits she didn't have growing up. It's why I love her. 

3. We refuse to name you after anyone. Including me. Devin Jr. is a no-no. And so are naming you after relatives, athletes, celebrities, what's "popular", and even what's anti-culture at the moment. 

4. We didn't care for input from anyone. It was decided by your mother and I. 

Naming you, besides your health of course, is one of the first responsibilities your mother and I have had with your existence. Of course, it's also one of the more fun things of this entire experience thus far. As you come into being, right now at 24 weeks, and with your constant fluttering whenever old school hip hop is being played, it is those subtle moments of where we both are reminded of the wild imagination that comes with this experience, and most of all, with you. 

We can't wait to meet you. And of course, call you by the name that will encapsulate all of those feelings in this experience. 

Until next time...

Sincerely,

Your can't-wait-to-call you-by-your-dope-name Dad
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