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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

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Dear Holly: How You See Me Right Now

10 years, 2 months.

Dear Holly,

While you were still in school in May, you made a Father’s Day craft that I was supposed to get, but we just now discovered it!

I loved the insight it provided about how you see me and what you really think of me. There was one particular idea that showed up multiple times:

That you see me as helpful.

What that tells me is that is the trait you value and need most from me.

The funny thing is, there isn’t one particular thing that comes to mind. What exactly am I doing that is helping you?

I’m simply sharing my life with you every day. Your presence in my own life is a gift everyday that I never take for granted.

If I’m helping you each day in ways I don’t even recognize, I’m sure you’re doing the same for me as well.

Love,

Daddy

 

 

Love,

Daddy

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Facebook Version: 18 Years Wedding Anniversary

I had just turned 18 years old when I graduated high school in May of 1999. I felt like an adult, because… I officially was. I felt “old enough” for my life to truly begin.

So today on my 18th wedding anniversary, I think, “Wow- I have been sharing my life everyday with the same person for as many years as I was alive when I graduated high school.”

In other words, today our marriage is officially an adult.

That’s funny… because I still barely feel, or act, like an adult myself! (I’m 45.)

Naturally, when people learn it’s your wedding anniversary, the common response is, “Oh, congratulations! That’s a big milestone.” Sometimes it is followed with a playful follow-up: “So what’s your secret?”

Well… I think I’ve got it figured out- from the husband’s point of view:

“Happy life… happy wife.”

Notice I didn’t say, “Happy wife, happy life.”

No, my secret is the opposite: “Happy life, happy wife.”

In other words, a man who is able to build and maintain his life in a way that he creates his own happiness through his own ambition and passion and curiosity, instead of putting that expectation on his wife (Example: “You complete me.”), is a man who provides the environment for his wife to therefore be happy. And perhaps even more important than being “happy”, she will feel safe and secure; as well as entertained and engaged.

A man’s life is not happy because he focuses on making his wife happy.

Instead, a man’s wife is happy because he focuses on making his own life happy; with her by his side, along for the adventure.

Now that I think of it… I’m basically the equivalent of a cruise ship director.

I would love to think of myself as the captain of the cruise ship, in this metaphor. But if I see life itself as a cruise, then I am not in control of where that ship is going- only God is.

The role of a cruise ship director, according to AI when I Google it, tells me that I am the senior ship officer responsible for all onboard entertainment, hospitality, and social programing: the public face of the ship.

Core responsibilities include event management, communication, leadership, and customer service: “acting as an information hub… ensuring a welcoming, lively atmosphere.”

Yep, that’s me. That’s what I do and who I am.

Happy life, happy wife!

That’s the secret, if you ask me.