I remember when all they could do was lie on their backs, swaddled and cozy in their cribs, looking up at their mobiles turning musical circles above them.
These days, they speak in code:
“Drop the needle” means: Papi play Thunderstruck by AC/DC.
They are very specific about their favorite things. Olin likes a white Tesla, Luca fancies a red Porsche convertible. They prefer their seafood boiled rather than fried or baked.
They can be pretty subtle about getting the things they want: Luca inspects our recycling bin at home, casually picks up an ice cream wrapper and asks: who ate this?
They keep very high standards: Olin sits with me for half an hour correcting my accent as I read him books in Korean. Whenever I ask him if I got it right, he lowers his eyes and says quietly: try again, one more time.
When I get back from riding - elated, sweaty and mud spattered - they give me sly, sidelong glances and shy smiles that say: Papi you were out having fun without us again?
Don’t worry boys, we will ride together someday! And that’s a promise.
Meantime, welcome to THREE Luca and Olin.
May it be our best year yet!