I never thought I'd get here in life. I always thought I'd be the kind of guy who lived by himself, always stuck in his work. I had no clue that my life would change fifteen years ago. As a filmmaker, fate was cruel, and made my life miserable, but apparently, fate changed its ways fifteen years ago.

My ex-girlfriend, Maureen Johnson, had dumped me for another woman, Joanne Jefferson. Joanne had then dumped her for another woman named Yvette Hughes, and Maureen was absolutely devastated. She came crawling to my loft late one night, begging for my help. I agreed, let her stay with me, and eventually, Maureen had truly fallen in love with me.

I didn't want to go through another bad heartbreak, so I was uneasy at first. I had no clue how much Maureen had really wanted me back, though. She pleaded for me to be with her. "Please Mark! I love you!" she would often whine. "I won't break your heart ever again, I swear it!"

Maureen's attempts were so cute and charming, that, though I still had feelings for her, they grew in size and I fell in love once more. We had been going out for about three years, when Mimi and Roger pushed me to propose to her. I eventually did. We were married for four years and suddenly, out of nowhere- Maureen had a baby.

It was out of nowhere, we hadn't until about four months. Maureen hadn't acted any different, but everyone noticed she had gotten heavier. I realized it too. Maureen had also acted strange, and she hadn't felt well. She went to the doctor and then we just found out.

She had called everyone over to our loft and she just announced it. Eve I had no clue at the time. Roger pulled me aside and congratulated me."So…when did it happen?" he asked, curiously. I laughed and my reply was " I really don't know." The next fourth months seemed to fly by, and when it was almost time, I grew nervous.

I questioned myself every chance I got, mainly because I gotten a new project to work on and I was getting paid for it. I wondered if I would've made a good father. Would I raise my wife and new child like a good father should? Will I know what to do when she goes into labor? I tried desperately to erase all of that from my mind. Then, one night, September 4th, Maureen had her baby.

I was offered to hold her, my hands shaky. I reached out to take hold of my new baby girl, and I had managed to hold her without dropping her .Her cries softened as she stared into my eyes. She was the most beautiful baby I had ever seen. I took hold of her hand and talked to her softly. "Hey, it's me, your daddy." I said meekly. I looked up to see Maureen giving me a warm smile.

"Name?" I asked. Maureen and I decided together, and it took us a while. It took us about ten minutes to find the perfect name, and Maureen had always wanted a name actress-worthy, whatever that's supposed to mean.

We decided on the name Mackenna Lynne Cohen, no nickname- just Mackenna. Once we had brought her home, Maureen decided on not having another child. She figured one was enough, and she had no clue how people could out up with at least five kids. Tough it was a lot of work, we loved our daughter from the moment she was born.

So I'm sitting here, working on some new ideas for work, hearing Mackenna, now eight years of age, and Maureen, a happy mother, reading through a script, laughing and playing around. I glance up to meet Maureen's smile and I know what she's thinking. We've made it this far in life, it obviously means something…

I agree with her silently. I turn to the desk once again, but instead of continuing with my work, I turn the desk light off, and go sit down with my wife and daughter, and make the most of my time watching my daughter grow. I figure she won't be a little girl forever, so I want to do as much I can with her. We aren't on this earth forever, make the most of your life.

Measure your life in love.