Some men cry tears of joy. My father-in-law was that way. We would put a new baby in his arms and he would just cry. He was a big guy, too, with a mechanical bent who could fix just about anything. Today four of those six babies we put into his arms are engineers of various kinds, with analytical abilities just like him. Tears of joy. I cry when I remember him, too. I miss him so much.
It’s been years and nobody has changed that huge grammatical error in panel 2. It should be either, “I saw her being born, Dad!” or, “Dad, I watched Mom give birth to her!”
Today (April 1st) is MY birthday, too. I remember when this strip ran the first time. I was happy that Lynn chose my birthday for April to be born. Everyone in my family was born in April….including my daughter, whom I DID name April. (My daughter-in-law is ALSO named April, but she was born in January). LOL.
Back in the da, fathers we kept out in the lobby out of the way. Now a days the are invited and even expected to be in the delivery room. I wonder which is best? Out of the way or involved.
John was not crying because he missed the birth, he is crying BECAUSE of the birth. He is emotional, excited, proud, in love with both the baby and his wife, in other words … he is a normal dad.
Elizabeth was so happy to tell her dad that the baby was a girl. My children were born before everyone found out by ultrasound if the baby was a boy or a girl. Finding that out at the moment of birth added to the excitement.
I was with my wife in the delivery room for the births of both our children. Fantastic experience, and I wouldn’t have missed it for anything. And she was glad to have me there.
Funny thing, though . . . my wife is a touch squeamish, and therefore strongly maintains that if our roles were reversed, she would never have been willing to be in there with me.
I’ve never seen my dad cry, but I’ve seen him close twice. One time was when he was preaching (he’s a pastor) about the difficulty but extreme importance—out of a motivation of love—for disciplining one’s child. The other was when his father died unexpectedly.
Thank you Lynn for showing how beautiful having a baby can be no matter the circumstance. Our world has lost that feeling. Also, all Dads cry at the birth of their children some only on the inside, but we all cry.
I was surprised that my comment stayed up as long as it did. I pointed out that had John Patterson been called when Elly went into labor, he might have made it back in time for the birth. Naturally a few people were offended by that comment and flagged it and the moderator removed it, because the moderator does not actually check what the comments are. The moderator only reacts to the flags.
Templo S.U.D. over 4 years ago
Like anime “Clannad After Story”, not only Nagisa Okazaki give birth at home during a snowstorm, but also gave birth to a daughter.
capricorn9th over 4 years ago
Hello, Patterson Kid #3. Today’s April 1st. Any guess what they will call her? ;)
wiatr over 4 years ago
It’s an emotional time even if things go very well.
aussiephoenix over 4 years ago
I was hoping for a boy this time.
Baarorso over 4 years ago
Hello April! Welcome to the world!
ariel777000 over 4 years ago
Some men cry tears of joy. My father-in-law was that way. We would put a new baby in his arms and he would just cry. He was a big guy, too, with a mechanical bent who could fix just about anything. Today four of those six babies we put into his arms are engineers of various kinds, with analytical abilities just like him. Tears of joy. I cry when I remember him, too. I miss him so much.
GirlGeek Premium Member over 4 years ago
It’s been years and nobody has changed that huge grammatical error in panel 2. It should be either, “I saw her being born, Dad!” or, “Dad, I watched Mom give birth to her!”
jpayne4040 over 4 years ago
Tears of joy. He’s so happy and relieved that everything turned out all right!
Julius Marold Premium Member over 4 years ago
A beautiful strip Lynn, thanks for doing it again.
dlkrueger33 over 4 years ago
Today (April 1st) is MY birthday, too. I remember when this strip ran the first time. I was happy that Lynn chose my birthday for April to be born. Everyone in my family was born in April….including my daughter, whom I DID name April. (My daughter-in-law is ALSO named April, but she was born in January). LOL.
debbie8pole over 4 years ago
Welcome baby April!
Mumblix Premium Member over 4 years ago
The above strip originally ran on a Monday. Here’s a link to the Sunday, March 31, 1991 strip where the baby was born:
https://www.gocomics.com/forbetterorforworse/1991/03/31
vaughnrl2003 Premium Member over 4 years ago
Back in the da, fathers we kept out in the lobby out of the way. Now a days the are invited and even expected to be in the delivery room. I wonder which is best? Out of the way or involved.
Aladar30 Premium Member over 4 years ago
So sweet ♡.
JMG316 over 4 years ago
❤️❤️❤️ Welcome baby girl!!!
summerdog over 4 years ago
Where was all the birthing screaming, like in the movies when a baby is being born? This was natural childbirth with no drugs!
Foob over 4 years ago
SPOILERS!!
DaveQuinn over 4 years ago
John was not crying because he missed the birth, he is crying BECAUSE of the birth. He is emotional, excited, proud, in love with both the baby and his wife, in other words … he is a normal dad.
tripwire45 over 4 years ago
I’m surprised the kids weren’t totally freaked out seeing exactly where the baby came from.
33Angel over 4 years ago
This one choked me up… So sweet in the third panel- the look they’re giving one another. Happy birthday, April!
Nicki's ZoMcYo over 4 years ago
Today is my second daughter’s birthday!! Cannot believe she is 12 already.
Ken Norris Premium Member over 4 years ago
I was present for both my children’s births over (mumble) years ago. Tomorrow will be the (mumble) anniversary of my daughter’s birth.
Petemejia77 over 4 years ago
Probably cause the bed is ruined.
blschumann Premium Member over 4 years ago
Elizabeth was so happy to tell her dad that the baby was a girl. My children were born before everyone found out by ultrasound if the baby was a boy or a girl. Finding that out at the moment of birth added to the excitement.
jr1234 over 4 years ago
April born 4-1-1991 AND 4-1-2020 She is 29 yrs old today.
Laurie Stoker Premium Member over 4 years ago
Happy tears of joy and relief!
nixie224 over 4 years ago
On April 1, 1991 April Patterson was introduced to the world. My niece followed suit 24 days later.
GreggW Premium Member over 4 years ago
Let me guess why she got the name she did.
paullp Premium Member over 4 years ago
I was with my wife in the delivery room for the births of both our children. Fantastic experience, and I wouldn’t have missed it for anything. And she was glad to have me there.
Funny thing, though . . . my wife is a touch squeamish, and therefore strongly maintains that if our roles were reversed, she would never have been willing to be in there with me.
Taracinablue over 4 years ago
I’ve never seen my dad cry, but I’ve seen him close twice. One time was when he was preaching (he’s a pastor) about the difficulty but extreme importance—out of a motivation of love—for disciplining one’s child. The other was when his father died unexpectedly.
fmduket over 4 years ago
Thank you Lynn for showing how beautiful having a baby can be no matter the circumstance. Our world has lost that feeling. Also, all Dads cry at the birth of their children some only on the inside, but we all cry.
RenéManuel over 4 years ago
Of course you will understand when you delivered a baby girl yourself.
howtheduck over 4 years ago
I was surprised that my comment stayed up as long as it did. I pointed out that had John Patterson been called when Elly went into labor, he might have made it back in time for the birth. Naturally a few people were offended by that comment and flagged it and the moderator removed it, because the moderator does not actually check what the comments are. The moderator only reacts to the flags.
Mijo94 over 4 years ago
I didn’t know April was born at home. My gosh what a way to start off a new month, a brand new baby. <3
GreggW Premium Member over 4 years ago
Since when does a newborn have a full head of hair?
KageKat 10 months ago
I figure those are the tears of an adrenaline crash!