Zachary Levi is expecting his first child with Maggie Keating

Zachary Levi is going to be a father!

The Shazam! The 44-year-old star announced via Instagram on Friday, December 6, that he and girlfriend Maggie Keating are expecting their first child together.

The shared post included an ultrasound photo of their baby as well as a picture of Keating hugging the actor as they enjoyed a day at the beach.

In the caption, Levi shared that becoming a father is a dream come true.

“I literally wanted to be a father since I was a child. I have always felt this calling in my life. This desire in my heart,” he wrote. “A strange feeling of incompleteness because I didn’t have that level of love and responsibility in my journey. That the best years of my life would lie on the other side after I finally became a father.”

Reflecting on his dream, Levi said he started working on his own last November, admitting that a “change” had to take place before he could be “ready for the blessing of something so special and the responsibilities that come with it.” .

The actor shared that his intention in his journey was to love himself more and focus on his physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health.

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Eventually things began to “change for the better” and he met Keating, whom he described as “a wonderful woman on the same journey of self-discovery and love, ready to enter a new and amazing chapter of life with me.”

Levi told his 1.4 million followers that he and Keating are excited to introduce “our little Bambino” to the world, although they don’t yet know the baby’s gender.

“But I’ll be thrilled either way,” said the future father.

Finally, he asked fans to submit suggestions for baby names.

“Keep them original, but not TOO original. We don’t want them to be bullied any more than their theater nerd dad. 🤓,” Levi wrote.

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Levi’s announcement comes after his She loves me Co-star Laura Benanti accused him of using the death of Broadway co-star Gavin Creel to further his “political agenda.” After dying of a rare form of cancer in September, Creel suggested during an Instagram Live that he died as a result of the COVID vaccine, according to Deadline.

Benanti said Levi’s comments could help his career as a “Christian, faith-based TV and film is huge,” adding, “He’s going to be a big f—–star in this space.” He’s going to make more money than him.” It makes me nauseous, but also a little, like, “I told you, mother——.” ”

PEOPLE previously reached out to representatives for Levi but did not immediately receive a response.