Annie!

Thrilling!

My dad called me a few moments ago and, when I answered my phone, he said, "Hey, Annie!"

While most people may not understand the significance of that term of endearment, it means everything to me. Especially now.

For as long as I can remember, rarely has my dad addressed me by my birth name - that is until last summer/fall - I have always been "Annie". So tonight, being addressed as Annie by him is significant to me for two reasons. First, it is the name he has always used for me and, secondly, he hasn't sounded more like his old self than he did in that moment.

Welcome back, Dad.

Love, Annie