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Dear Holly: Buying Groceries While Mommy was in Europe

10 years, 2 months.

Dear Holly,

While Mommy was gone for a week and a half with your brother on his school trip to Europe, you and I were responsible for buying groceries. Normally she and I tackle that every Saturday morning together, but with her away, you had to fill in.

Just like Mommy, you insisted on doing the self-checkout, as you explained your reasoning to me: “Daddy, I’m an introvert. I’m not like you, where I have to talk to people everywhere I go!”.

Once we got to the Jeep, you realized you could just crawl up in the back so I could hand you the bags to put away.

And just like Mommy, once we got home, you carefully put away all the groceries. (You didn’t mind at all, since I let you buy whatever you wanted to eat during the week.)

You served as a great helper while Mommy was gone!

 

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: You and Mommy in Europe

15 years, 8 months.

Dear Jack,

I’m sure at some point, perhaps years from now, it will hit you:

“Wow, that was actually pretty amazing that I was able to go visit Europe for the first time with my mom.”

Sometimes while you are actually living out a moment that you will always remember and cherish, you don’t realize it’s one of “those” memories.

But I know “that time Jack and Jill went to Europe” will serve as a core memory for you the rest of your life.

 

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: Our Hike at Cloudland Canyon State Park

10 years, 2 months.

Dear Holly,

Ever since you were a baby, I imagined that one day once you were old enough, that I would take you to Cloudland Canyon State Park, about 35 minutes from our house across the Georgia state line.

Specifically, I told myself: “I bet when Holly turns 10 years old, she will be able to handle it.

It is not a hike for the weary. Instead, it’s quite intense: a hike down the side of a mountain down into a canyon and back up.

Well, you’re 10 years old now.

With Mommy and your brother being gone on the school trip to Europe, I decided that last Saturday would finally be the day we would face the challenge of hiking down into Cloudland Canyon and back up.

We did it! I will say, I’m pretty sure I’m still sore from the hike… and that was exactly one week ago! In the gift shop, it was no surprise they sold “I Survived Hiking Cloudland Canyon” t-shirts.

Our hike together was everything I always imagined it would be. While it has been strange living the past 9 days without Mommy and your brother around, I definitely appreciate all the quality time we have been able to spend together!

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: Funny Faces across Europe

15 years, 8 months.

Dear Jack,

As I write this, you are currently on a 7 hour flight back to the United States. During each of the 9 days you were on your school trip overseas, Aunt Dana has been sure to take plenty of photos everyday of you and your cousin Calla.

From the very first day to the very last day, it was very obvious that we can easily name this trip, “Jack’s Funny Faces across Europe Tour”.

What makes this even more ridiculous is that for every picture of you making a silly face in France, England, and Scotland, there is a counterpart photo featuring your cousin Calla.

As Uncle Andrew described it…

“Cousins: Same trip, same camera, same locations… completely different photos.”

Your cousin Calla has literally won a beauty pageant before, displaying poise and feminine energy in her photos.

Meanwhile… your photos could easily cause a person to ask, “Umm… is that kid okay?”

And this is how you chose to be remembered in your first trip to Europe. Exactly what I would expect from you!

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: You are Now Visiting Europe

15 years, 7 months.

Dear Jack,

Just a few weeks ago, you left the United States for the first time when we took the cruise to Nova Scotia and Bermuda.

Yesterday morning, you and Mommy left for a school-affiliated trip to Europe. Not only is it your first time to visit Europe, it is Mommy’s too.

Today you’re in France- within the next week, you’ll also travel to Scotland and England.

So… I’m thinking this must be a pretty cool summer for you?

Love,

Daddy