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// Dear Flightheart, 
// Story: The Day You Were Born 
// by MintyJoy 
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The day you were born, dear daughter of mine, was a cool autumn day, with leaves floating down the streets and ponies enjoying afternoon strolls in the sunlight. I took your mother to the hospital. She was determined to have you naturally, with no medicine despite the pain, but you decided you weren’t coming that way. They ended up putting her into surgery. Naturally, I got to join her, with my own doctor’s coat and mask.

While they prepped her for surgery, I kept the doctors laughing with jokes. Unlike most first fathers, I was not at all nervous. It was fun to say things like “Oh look! Now they’re slicing you open like a turkey, honey!” while your mother tried to see around the blue barrier they had put up. 

However, all the silliness left as I heard your first cry. I watched intently as they retrieved you, and set you free from that uncomfortably tight womb. Without any hesitation, they handed you to me. You were still covered in goop and blood, but I didn’t mind one bit.

It was love at first sight. 

You were the first of your kind. My very first kin, and you were so beautiful. An eagle claw on your right foreleg, and a dark chocolate bear paw on the left. A white body that ended at your collar, your elbows, and your knees. Mint green pony hind legs, and mint green face. A dark bat wing, a mint feather wing. Adorable pink snake tail, so very similar to mine.

You weren’t all mine though, I saw you were your mother’s too. I saw her long lashes, her muzzle, her lips, and her pink hair. Yours was a bit shorter, with this little curl that came off the edge of your forelock over your forehead. You never did grow out of that rebellious curl.

I held you for a moment, as you settled and quieted your cries, and then turned to hand you to the nurse to have you cleaned. But as I moved, something truly magical happened.

You reached up with your tiny claw and grabbed the collar of my doctor’s coat. I tried to hand you over, but your grasp was tight. You would not let go of your father for the world, and I couldn’t help but smile at your determination to stay in my arms, even though you had only spent seconds in this new world.

I had to promise you would have me back as soon as you were clean, so I spoke to you with soft swaying and rocking. Our heartbeats kept time as I danced you around the surgical table, a dance only you and I knew. You understood, and so slowly you loosened your grasp, until you finally let go.

The nurses made sure the time between us was brief, and soon you were back in my arms as I carried you to the bed where your mother was waiting. I will never forget the way her face lit up when she saw you. A tiny gasp escaped her lips as I placed you in her arms.

“Oh, Discord… she’s beautiful!” She had whispered.

“Isn’t she?” I had smiled. “Our baby is better than all the other babies.”

She had chuckled, but didn’t disagree. You were the best thing that the world had ever seen.

Our friends came in later, all excited to see you. Rainbow Dash got to hold you first, since she and your mother had known each other since fillyhood. I had never seen such a tender expression on that tough girl’s face. Rarity was next, with tears and a lot of cooing, calling you “precious” and “wonderful”, which you were. You yawned on Applejack’s turn, and melted everypony’s hearts with your cuteness. Pinkie couldn’t stop giggling, and I was worried she would wake you.

Upon my request, Twilight was last. If you ask her, she’ll tell you it was just to tick her off, but everyone knows it’s because last is best of all the game.  After all, it was during her turn you opened your eyes. You had just woken up, probably because of Pinkie. They were your mother’s eyes, big and blue and beautiful, and it was satisfying to see Twilight with tears in her eyes as she gazed at you. 

“She’s amazing.”

After they left, it was just you, your mother and I. We were the perfect little family.  I remember holding you in the darkened hospital room while your mother rested, thinking about our future. I thought of your first steps, your first day of school, and your first friends. I wondered whether you would have my magic or a cutie mark, (and to think you actually have both!) and what your special talent might be.  I thought of your highs and your lows, your beginnings and ends, your strengths and weaknesses. I could already tell just by looking at you that this was the start of an amazing life the world would never forget.

There was so much love in that room as I gazed upon your tiny figure. The feeling you gave me as you grasped my claw with yours and looked at me with those eyes and snuggled into my fur, it was beyond anything I had ever felt before. I loved it so much I had to go through it two more times so I could have your sisters, who are wonderful. But you were my first, which is very special.

Flightheart, this will be the sixteenth year since that wonderful day, but know this: that love is still there, and has multiplied over these many years. Although we may not always get along, know that both your mother and I love you very much, and that you are still the best thing this world has ever seen. Since that day in the hospital, you have only gotten better, brightening every life you touch with your over-flowing love for others.

May this new chapter of your life bring you much joy and adventure. I am so glad to call you mine.

Your loving father always, 

Discord