Dear Holly: Decorating Your Backpack at Church

10 years, 4 months.

Dear Holly,

As the new school year started, our church had all the elementary students come up to the front with your backpacks, so the pastor could pray over you all for the school year ahead.

It’s funny to think how you don’t really have books in your backbags like the way I did when I was in school. But, either way…

Then after the service, Uncle Andrew held on to your cousin Darla’s backpack and I held on to yours, as Mommy helped you and Darla make customized backpack charms. Since then, it has been on your backpack along with a prayer card.

I pray for you and your brother everyday as you leave for school. You may not realize that, but I do. And I have everyday since you started going to school; as you learn, as you play, and as you make friends.

 

Love,

Daddy

Dear Jack: Advanced Placement Business Class

15 years, 9 months.

Dear Jack,

This past week, you made it to the Facebook page of your high school, which I guess would basically be the equivalent to making it to the local newspaper from when I was growing up here.

You are particularly enjoying your new classes so far in the first semester of your sophomore year of high school. That includes your Advanced Placement Business class, where you all recently conducted an exercise in supply shortages and surpluses.

Back when I was a student at your high school 30 years ago, I was big into DECA (“Distributive Education Clubs of America”) where I actually travelled in competitions for business role-playing. My senior year I even made it to the state competition!

I hope you find as much enjoyment and success as I did with it!

 

Love,

Daddy

Dear Holly: You Realized I’ve Been Writing to You Your Entire Life

10 years, 4 months.

Dear Holly,

Well, it took you making it all the way to the 5th grade before you stumbled into the fact that I have indeed been writing you a letter every week of your life, since Mommy was still pregnant with you.

I would classify you as an avid reader. Now you have discovered on your own that you can just go to my website and type in your age to the search box, to pull up pictures and stories about you that I wrote that week.

You admitted to me that you have been deep diving a bit into it.

And I will admit to you that by writing to you every week, this is one of the ways I express my love to you.

Love,

Daddy

Dear Jack: Your New Riding Suit

15 years, 9 months.

Dear Jack,

As the first football game of the season took place this Friday night, I had a couple different people ask me, “Is Jack playing out there on the field?”

I’ve been telling them how instead of being involved in any kind of sports at this point, you are now all about riding your motorbike. You took it to the next level this week by getting your official riding suit and boots.

Had we not moved from Tennessee over two years ago, there’s no way you would have been able to ride everyday like you are able to here.

We live in the perfect neighborhood in the perfect part of town for you to be able to ride around and go off-roading with your friends.

This has now transitioned from a casual hobby for you to a serious one.

Love,

Daddy

Dear Holly: Teaching Yourself Yoga Moves

10 years, 3 months.

Dear Holly,

You have an upcoming try-out to see if you qualify for the next level up at the dance studio.

So in order to prepare, you have decided to teach yourself yoga moves to help become more flexible.

This past week in our house, I have been finding you watching YouTube videos on your phone, while trying to get the position just right on the yoga mat.

Here’s to hoping your hard work pays off!

Love,

Daddy