One of the best things about being a dad of an infant is love pats. There is no feeling to compare with holding a 7.5 month child who firmly puts one arm on your shoulder then uses the other arm to pat you on your chest or arm. Love pats come in repetition. Usually its about five. They are firm, confident pats; not hits. They communicate love and comfort. Love pats say, “Thank you Dad for protecting me” when the Roomba has my curiosity but is making me nervous. Love pats say, “I love you” and “you make me happy.” Love pats almost always are attached to the most content, at ease grin – just a little upturn of the corners of the mouth to say “Life is good.”
